An Geadh-Glas

Five years ago the Lord gave me a vision of a wild goose flying over the Sweet-Ola valley. It was the harbinger of Emily and my move to Sweet from Boise – and the start of new adventure that has lead to us being the new pastors of the Payette River Vineyard.

What was so special about that vision? Why a wild goose?

In the early days of Christianity, the Gospel message flourished among the Celts of the British Isles (while no one knows for sure who brought Gospel to the Celts, I like to think that it was some of the Celts living in Galatia who heard the message from St. Paul). Instead of following the Hebrew picture of the Holy Spirit (i.e. a dove), these Celtic believers choose the picture of a Wild Goose – An Geadh-Glas.

Similar to a wild goose, the Holy Spirit can not be tamed or tracked – “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).

Likewise, when the Holy Spirit comes – He comes in power, disturbing the status quo and setting the people into a new adventure with God.

When you couple this picture of the Holy Spirit with the Shakespearean phrase, “a wild goose chase”, you get the recipe for mystery and adventure. The choice and decisions of God may not be those of man – in fact, most likely, people will look at these choices in horror, thinking that you are embarking on a wild goose chase – a foolish adventure that will only end in disaster.

Yet, if the Holy Spirit is the Wild Goose that one chases…well, everything changes.

This is why you will occasionally hear me mention the Wild Goose or use the phrase “a Wild Good Chase” when describing my life. If fact, not long after that vision five years ago, I commissioned a friend to paint a picture of an Irish goose flying past a Celtic cross with reference to Proverbs 19:21.

This oil painting also turned into a tattoo that graces my left shoulder – a constant reminder to me that my life is not my own; I have given it up to the King and must follow His even when it seems like I’m on a fools errand.

An Geadh-Glas

Follow the Wild Goose.