Inspired By A Duck

It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord speaks to us. Today, He spoke to me through a duck.

No, I wasn’t watching an episode of Duck Dynasty.

Early one morning last fall I retreated to a secluded lake setting where I often go to pray and wait on the Lord. The fall season was in full swing. The trees on the hillside were on fire with yellow, gold, orange and bright red autumn leaves. Gusty winds, pushing a cold front our way, produced one-foot high waves across the lake. Rays of sparkling sunlight danced on the dark blue water.

While praying on a dock that extended out into the lake, my eyes spotted a duck. A solitary duck was making his way across the lake. I was enamored, enthralled and encouraged by his steady progress against contrary waves.

I observed three things about my duck friend.

First, he would ride on the top of the waves. Kind of like an amusement park ride. The wind and waves would carry him along. I think I noticed a smile on his duck face!

Secondly, every once in awhile, he would dive under the waves. Maybe looking for a snack or something. Then, his little duck head would pop up, farther down the lake.

Thirdly, and most importantly, I watched this little duck paddle against the waves. He plowed right through them. One wave after another after another. Foot high waves were no match for this determined duck. Up and over. Up and over. Steady, persevering progress. My heart was inspired and warmed by his unrelenting effort to conquer the contrary wind and waves.

Nothing was going to keep this duck from reaching his duck destination.

I thought about myself. What do I do when life’s sudden winds blow and waves crash into my day? How do I generally respond when winds of change and threatening storms upset my plans? Do I look for a safe harbor? Do I run for the cover of a friend? Do I wish the wind would stop blowing and waves would disappear?

It is a fact of life on this planet that waves of unwelcome stress, relentless pressure, costly setbacks, agonizing disappointment, discouragement, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness can crash in on our lives unexpectedly.
Wave after wave after wave can drown us emotionally if we do not face them with faith in God who stills the sudden storms that assail our lives.   

Maybe, like my inspirational duck friend, I should press on through the waves.

In our word for our week. The Apostle Paul “pressed on” no matter what life would bring his way. His faith statement is found in Philippians 3:14.

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

His eyes were fixed, riveted on the prize. He faithfully and diligently pressed on, pushed forward, reached ahead (like a runner who stretches and thrusts his chest to break the tape at the finish line) to fulfill the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul persevered in his pursuit of Christ. (Read his list of “waves” in II Corinthians 11: 22-33).

His primary personal goal was to know Him (Philippians 3:10), receive the crown of righteousness (II Timothy 4:8) and hear Jesus’ words “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

Follow Paul’s faith journey throughout the New Testament, and you will see that duck I described…. pushing, plowing, paddling, pressing, persevering through the waves to arrive at his destination.

My friend, how do you handle contrary winds and crashing waves? Do wind and waves stress you out? Depress you? Discourage you? Paralyze you? Tempt you to hop in bed and pull the covers over your head?

The truth is: stressed, depressed, or pressing on is our choice.

I am delighted God spoke to me through a duck today. I feel like a little kid!

Look around for the “ducks” the Lord may send your way with a personal message to inspire and encourage you on your faith journey.

A Word For Your Week: Press on through life’s waves to fulfill God’s call on your life.