More Than Spectators by Terri Branham

Spectator –  One who watches at a show, game, or other event.

Participator –  To be active or involved in something; take part.

Imitator –  a person who copies the behavior or actions of another.

The highlight of one of my workdays last May was catching this shot on my phone right in front of our lab entrance as I drove up to deliver some medical specimens.  Adorable little ones playing follow the leader, keeping in step with mom. This lab is very near Quail Lakes Plaza in Stockton, California, with a huge fountain; geese relish the environment.

When I consider all it took for Mother Goose to get her little ones even to this point, it makes me think of a part of this song, which you’ll most likely recall:

He’s still working on me

To make me what I need to be 

It took him just a week to make the moon and stars

The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars

How loving and patient He must be 

‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me

My good friend, Google, says:  The baby geese, called goslings, take about a month to hatch. Babies are covered with soft feathers called down. They hatch with their eyes open and will leave the nest within 24 hours, following their parents. Goslings can swim right away. In less than two months, the goslings grow adult feathers and learn to fly.  

Amazing! In such a short amount of time, goslings go through several milestones and stages:  spectator, participator, imitator.

Here are some verses to consider:  (Amplified Bible)

1 John 2:5 – But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him:  (not just a spectator)

1 Corinthians 1:9 – God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise — He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship (a participator) with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 5:1 – Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];

Prayer and Declaration:  Thank You, Father, for Your love and patience! I treasure Your Word and truly desire to keep it. Thank You that your love is being perfected in me as I imitate and depend on You each day.

Terri Branham is a wife and mother of two. She lives in California’s Central Valley. She attended Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 1977-78. She is a Prayer Leader on the ZTeam.