Chasing the Wild Goose
The term “Celtic Church” is used to describe one of the earliest forms of Christianity in the British Isles. Dating from around the year 400 A.D., the Celtic Church established itself as the most successful evangelistic movement ever seen in the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
In the Celtic tradition the Holy Spirit is represented as a bird, but not the peaceful serene dove like the one that landed on Jesus at His baptism. No. The Celtic Christians called Him, An Geadh-Glas, which means “the Wild Goose.”
Why did the Wild Goose speak to those ancient Celtic Christians? To begin with, wild geese aren’t controllable. You can’t restrain a wild goose and bend it to your will.
They’re also raucous and loud. Unlike the sweet and calming cooing of a dove, a goose’s honk is strong, challenging, strident, and unnerving – and just a bit scary.
In much the same way the Spirit of God can be demanding and unsettling. Think about the story of Pentecost and the impression the disciples made on the crowd. People thought they were drunk and disorderly!
There’s an element of unpredictability about who He is and what He does. That being the case, I can’t think of a better description of living a Spirit-led life than as a Wild Goose chase.
To chase the Wild Goose often means heading off into uncharted territory. Indeed, we may have no idea where we’re going much of the time; but as long as we keep in step with the Spirit day by day, we’ll get where God wants us to go.
We may have no idea where we’re going much of the time; but as long as we keep in step with the Spirit day by day, we’ll get where God wants us to go.
God-sized, Wild Goose-bump Dreams
This can be a little unnerving at times, but it can also be awfully exciting. In fact, it might well give you goosebumps. Or more accurately, Wild Goose-bumps!
When you stop to think about it, following the Spirit’s leading should make your heart skip a beat. After all, He longs for us to leave the safe and familiar and launch out into the Kingdom-advancing unknown.
When you stop to think about it, following the Spirit’s leading should make your heart skip a beat. After all, He longs for us to leave the safe and familiar and launch out into the Kingdom-advancing unknown.
I’m not suggesting that you only do those things that get you excited. Taking out the garbage doesn’t give me goosebumps. Neither does doing the dishes or mowing the lawn. Those jobs simply have to be done.
What I am suggesting is that we need to periodically lean into a God-sized dream that gives you goosebumps. A dream that can seem to be a wild goose chase…except that it’s anything but that.
Walking with the Lord was never intended to be drudgery. It was always and ever intended to be a Kingdom-advancing, faith-stretching, God-glorifying adventure.
Walking with the Lord was never intended to be drudgery. It was always and ever intended to be a Kingdom-advancing, faith-stretching, God-glorifying adventure.
This is what the Celtic Christians realized so many years ago as they chased the wild goose, looking for the One who led them to be the One who empowered them. I think it can still be realized in our day.
So, as we begin a new church year, what if you would make this your prayer: “Holy Spirit, I long to follow You into uncharted territory where You can use me in unprecedented ways.” And then look for opportunities to chase the wild goose.
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