When I was in college, I used to go down to the river in between classes and sit on the bank. I would pray, read the Word, or just meditate in His presence.
I haven’t done that in a very long time…
Every Thursday, I go to the park at the river and sit in my car and pray for the Bible Study. Last week I was running late- I only had 15 minutes before Bible Study started. No matter what Thursday it is, I always get butterflies before the group meets. I wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and failure in Him. Well, on that particular day, I was really struggling and felt under-prepared.
When I got to the park, without thinking, I got out of the car and walked down to the bank of the river. I found a huge rock that looked like a chair. I sat down and began to pray. A few minutes went by and I looked out onto the water.
I saw two ducks washing themselves.
The Spirit of the Lord said to me, “Consider the duck.”
Slightly confused, I focused my attention on the duck. I began to consider him.
What problems does a duck have? None.
Does a duck ever wish he was a better duck? No.
Does a duck struggle with feelings of inferiority with other other ducks? Nope, not at all.
I duck innately knows his purpose, it is a part of who he is. He doesn’t need to seek a purpose; he just needs to live it. He flies north in the summer, he mates, he swims and eats, he sticks his head under the water, he plucks his plumage when it gets heavy, and when he feels a chill he flies south again.
He happily lives his purpose without wanting to be anything more than the duck he is.
We need to be like ducks. Everyday we need to be ourselves – the people God created each of us to uniquely be. There is no reason to want to be anything more than who we are. When there is something more for us, it will become our instinct to move towards it.
Abide in Him today. (John 15)
