While sitting on the shore recently, I saw a small family of ducks. They were mergansers, my favorite waterfowl by far. A merganser on the water is a perfect example of “a natural” in action. Except usually they travel in groups, supporting one another, diving in choreography in the water’s waves, wakes, and rolls.
Mergansers are naturals— just watch them! It looks like they haven’t had to learn a thing. When young ducklings, they already bob and bobble along in the water, climb up on logs and rocks, sling water off their damp feathers, grin at one another (ok, maybe I only imagine that part), then dive back in, quickly and freely, naturally. By September, their families parade along chattering and more speedily chase, dive, swim—naturals.
This past week, I’ve observed not only mergansers, but also people—folks just like any one of us.
I have seen and heard “naturals” at music, logging, science, art, volleyball, math, woodworking, football, caring for children, listening, training dogs, learning and teaching massive amounts of information about constellations created millions of years ago. All these, and a list far too long to compile, are activities and abilities someone comes to naturally. We don’t always see our natural abilities right away, but we each have them.
Within each person, there is another “natural”—one we might not notice, might ignore, might decide is made up, might stifle each time it arises within us. It is a natural to need to know more about creation, about purpose, about God.
Maybe we turn away at times because it takes a lot of work and consideration. But then, a lot of work and consideration are put into practicing what else we seem “natural” at, from football and volleyball to science, logging, music. It takes practice to get good at what comes naturally. And we humans need to add brain power to interest, questions, considerations.
In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus, while still not recognized as the son of God, turns five small loaves of bread and two small fish into enough food to feed 5,000 people. The crowd’s response? Naturally, many followed after him, even to another region.
Jesus knew what they did not and pointed out to them, “You are looking for me, because you had your fill of bread…the words I give are spirit and life.” They were needing what is deeply natural but easy to turn away from, the true sustenance God offers, the presence and spirit of God in Jesus, the Word of life that comes from God.
Our deepest need—for God—is part of us. God breathes life into us. God’s spirit surrounds us. We are given senses and emotions that long for more of what is best for us, relationship with God. Unlike mergansers, we don’t seem to naturally recognize or enjoy our “best place.” So Jesus, God’s son, came to give us a more complete discovery of the care of God for us, so that we might dive into what comes in life, grinning at one another, supporting one another, thanking God for the gift of Christ.
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor is Pastor Kris Garey of Trinity Lutheran, Hovland.
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