Duck Feathers

Have you ever been offended (angered, hurt, betrayed) by someone, whether in church or simply in life? Yes? What if I told you that I knew how you could fly above it all? 

The answer may surprise you. 

The most effective way to handle any offense is with duck feathers. In fact, I suggest you grow duck feathers. Oh, you'll also need an uropygial gland, also known as the preening gland. That's the real secret. It's not enough to have the feathers. You need the oil. 

In the natural, ducks have a preening gland located near the base of their tail. They use their 

bill to spread the oil over each and every outer feather. This coats their feathers with an oily substance that contains diester waxes that help waterproof feathers and keep them flexible. 

The following list is found at:  Preening: How and Why Birds Preen

Preening serves several essential purposes for birds, including:

·         Aligning feathers for optimum waterproofing and insulation.

·         Aligning feathers into the most aerodynamic shape for easier, more efficient flight.

·         Removing feather parasites and body lice that can destroy feathers or carry disease.

·         Removing tough sheaths from newly molted feathers.

·         Creating a healthier appearance to attract a mate.

With so many reasons to preen, it is no surprise that many birds engage in this behavior for several hours a day.

What if you and I engaged in a similar act several hours a day? What if we purposed to preen ourselves daily, just as the ducks do? What do you think might happen??

In the bible the Holy Spirit is often symbolized by oil. Oil was used to anoint kings and priests for service. Its use represented the presence of the Lord over the one being anointed. It  also represents the Holy Spirit's soothing, healing presence. In James 5:14-15  we are instructed to anoint the sick with oil and pray over them. 

Oil also moisturizes dry skin, It is used to reduce friction between two parts. Oil can be medicinal. Oil is representative of so many good things that we, as believers, need in our lives. 

Now, let’s take our examples from the ducks in the natural and apply it to our lives in the spiritual. If we, as Christians, found ourselves immersed in the presence of the Holy Spirit daily (spiritual preening) we would find very similar results happening in our lives.

·         If our spiritual feathers are oiled and waterproofed then the effects of offense are going to be minimal. We will find that we can swim in deep waters of things that would ordinarily drag or bog us down. No longer weighted by these things we may see our lives beginning to thrive as we are able to feed ourselves without the threat of drowning.

·         Spiritual preening aligns us into the most effective shape for easier, more efficient service.

·         The oil of the Holy Spirit, time spent with Him, will remove parasitic people and situations from our lives.

·         Spiritual preening softens our hearts, smooths our rough edges and allows love to grow in us more freely. Our perspective of others is changed to be more in line with how the Father sees those around us.

·         Spiritual preening produces a glow and makes us more attractive in our character and our service to others.

Ducks do not preen once or twice a week. They preen daily and throughout their day. If they did not preen daily they would not be able to float, swim, dive and thrive. The ducks preen instinctively. It is second nature to them. They are ducks. It is what they do.

I challenge you to let your time with the Lord become second nature to you. I challenge you to walk so closely with the Holy Spirit that, when offense comes, you will instinctively preen your feathers. Tap into that oil, coat yourself daily. If you do you will be free from so many things that would otherwise weigh you down.

You will soon find that all that ‘stuff’ just rolls off like water off a duck’s back.