Issue 1786 – Lost Duck – August 11, 2025
As I walked around the lake recently, I watched a heartbreaking scene. A single duckling, either separated from its family or orphaned, was swimming along the lakeshore and in obvious distress. It kept peeping for its mother.
Suddenly, it spotted a mother mallard with its ducklings and peeped out in excitement, heading up onto the bank to be with them. It was obvious that the duckling was older than those with the mother, but it recognized a mother and went for help.
As soon as he got close, the mother attacked him and drove him away to protect her own babies. The last I saw of him, the little lost duck was swimming down the lake even more panicked than when he had spotted the family.
Sometimes the church acts like that mother mallard. Lost, hurting, and frightened sinners see the church and come for help. They don’t know the rules, they don’t know the dress code, they don’t know anything except that they are in a mess, and somehow the church might be able to help.
They arrive, and we ignore them because they’re dressed differently. We look down on them because they are sinners (conveniently forgetting that we’re sinners too, just forgiven). We shun them because they don’t “act Christian” (forgetting that only Christ can change a person, and they haven’t had that blessing yet).
When we do so, we drive them away from Jesus. When we do that, I’m certain He’s not pleased with us. I know He’ll forgive us, but it makes a mockery of His sacrifice.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Perhaps you have felt like that lost duckling, hurting and rejected. You tried “church” and felt driven away. Don’t give up, that’s not what Christ teaches His children to do.
Those that drove you away will be answerable to God for their sin, just as you will be for yours. Look directly to a personal relationship with Him and get right with Him. He’ll never reject you or drive you away.
What do they think of our “love” when we drive them away? What do they think of our Lord?
Until next time, when the little lost duckling comes in the door, don’t drive it away. Love it instead.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version? It offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook.
___________________________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”