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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: WORK OUT (05/20/21)
The Flight of the Barnacle Geese


My Bible is a store house of wisdom and advice. It has an answer to every question I have. As an illustration, I recall the time of my planning a spiritual exercise. The idea was to read and study the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, within one year. I had the perfect routine planned - read, study and meditate for forty minutes a day on five pages of the 1566 pages that contained this portion. This would leave about fifty days time for any unexpected interruptions. What was practical on paper was not possible in action. I was fighting a loosing battle against my physical weakness and the subtle maneuvers of Satan. In desperate need of help and advice I turned to my Bible.


As I flipped through its pages, I was arrested by the words, ' consider the ravens.....( Luke 12:24)'. I wondered if ravens - or any birds for that matter - exercise. I started surfing the Internet. That's where I read about the Barnacle Geese. These birds live in the Svalbard islands situated in the Arctic ocean. When the weather becomes very cold, they immigrate south to Scotland, where they spend winter and return home in spring. This is about a 2500 km. flight over the ocean. The Barnacle geese complete this journey, non stop, in two days, averaging 40- 60 kms. an hour.


This, to me , is a marathon flight. I was sure these birds had to practice a rigid workout to build up their strength and stamina. I was astonished to read that they did nothing of the sort. They foraged around and merrily followed their normal way of life. When the temperature dropped and the cold weather set in, they flapped their wings and rose up into the sky and headed south. My befuddled brain could only ask , 'How can they do this ?'


Dr. Lewis Halsey, a bio-physiologist, had the same question. In his research on the subject, he discovered that the body of the geese reacts to the climatic changes and produces a stimulant to the muscles. This stimulant is passive and functions within the body. It is equivalent to the external stimulant of physical exercise. Was this the answer to my problem? Do I need an internal stimulant that will not be jeopardized by my external circumstances? The only way to find out was to pray and that's what I did.


And God answered me. He reminded me that on the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and surrendered my life to Him, I had been sealed with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. He was my internal stimulant. I had forgotten Him when I planned my Bible study. I had depended upon my strength . That is why I failed. I decided to redo my spiritual exercise allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me. I will not plan a workout based on a pages/ minutes/ year schedule. It will be an ongoing study of reading, understanding and practicing His living Word and glorifying My Lord and my God. My plan this time will be inspired by the Holy Spirit and with His help I will complete it victoriously .
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This article has been read 367 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/27/21
I enjoyed this testimony. I could easily relate to the MC and enjoyed the information about the geese. The epiphany at the end is quite profound and a reminder I needed just now.
Laura Manley
05/28/21
This is an inspiring piece of writing. I enjoyed your information about the geese, but I really enjoyed the life lesson you learned. It also gave me a much-needed reminder. There are some things you need to look at as far as punctuation is concerned. There seems to be an extra space between paragraphs also. Other than a little punctuation fix, this is an outstanding entry.
Sue Botte 
05/30/21
This was a good article and well researched. Well done and thank you.
C D Swanson 
05/31/21
This was fabulous and inspiring.

I loved this line:
"My plan this time will be inspired by the Holy Spirit and with His help I will complete it victoriously..."


Amen!

Blessings~
Bea Edwards 
06/01/21
You wrote a fascinating article. I learned something new and relearned something in a new way.

Our internal energy comes from the promised indwelling Holy Spirit.

Thank you for the reminder in your interesting and well-written piece.

I very much enjoyed it and other than a few punctuation errors, it's an excellent entry.