Wild Goose Chase

Dictionary.com defines a wild goose chase as "a wild or absurd search for something non-existent or unobtainable."

A friend of mine gave the "wild and absurd" portion of this definition a whole new meaning.




Thing is, she wasn't chasing the goose in this scenario...it kind of chased her.

She was driving across a bridge that connects New Jersey to Pennsylvania. It's very narrow and the speed limit is only 15 mph. All of a sudden, a goose flew into her car.

No, it didn't hit her car...it literally flew INTO her car from the open passenger side window!

Somehow, with the wings of the bird beating against her in panic and her young daughter screaming in fright, the car did not spin out of control and the goose flew out the driver side window.

Upon its escape, the bird held up traffic on the bridge as it stood squarely in the middle of the two lane span getting everyone's attention.

My friend's status on Facebook received, not surprisingly, over 3 dozen comments - from the concerned "are you all right?" and  "Did he hurt you?" to the comical "Did you duck?," "At least your goose wasn't cooked" and my personal fav "Affflllaaccckkk!".

Everyone including the goose escaped unharmed, but the incident reminded me of a book by Mark Batterson: "Wild Goose Chase."

Part of the book intro reads “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life."  

This particular goose certainly provided an element of danger and unpredictability! 

The intro goes on to say "most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.”

Some people assume a Christian life is boring...that we have 'no fun.' I guess they figure we sit hands folded, back straight, sucking on lemons all day.

Nothing could be farther from the truth!  When you follow God's lead with full abandon, He will take you places you never thought you would or could go.

I've seen modern day miracles and answers to prayer, and these days, I live life expecting God to show up in a big way and He never disappoints. Honestly, there is nothing boring about life when God is on the move.

A life without God IS a wild goose chase...a pursuit of everything but obtaining nothing. But a life with the Wild Goose is one that pursues and achieves. It taps into the unseen, not the non-existent.

Are you ready for adventure?

To be sure, when the Wild Goose enters the picture He will mix things up and the ride will be unforgettable.

You will stop traffic and people will take notice.

You'll want to share what's happened with your friends because the whole thing is just so unbelievable.

There may be an element of danger or at least a hint of unpredictability because living a life with the Wild Goose behind the wheel takes the control out of your hands.

Are you ready to let go and follow the Wild Goose?