The Trained Duckling - by Karen B. White

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6: 40 NKJV

Grown ducks have an oil gland at the top of their tails. To assist them with swimming and preventing them from becoming waterlogged, the oil from this gland is spread on the duck’s feathers. Baby ducks however do not possess such a gland. The mother must spread her oil on the ducklings before they are allowed in the water. She then glides into the water and in an effort to be near her; the ducklings follow and begin imitating her moves. It is through this process that the ducklings learn to swim.  

As I thought about the ducklings, I realized that Christians are like baby ducks. We are not born with salvation (oil) but our Father provided a way for us to be saved from our sins. We now are protected from being waterlogged or burden with sins. If we are as smart as ducklings, we then follow our Father into the water (life) imitating His ways.

Jesus is our “perfect trainer” our example of how we are to obey the Father and treat others. Additionally, we have the Bible to guide us in the ways of the Lord. When we learn to keep His commandments and obey Him in all ways, we can swim through life easily. That is not to say that there may not be predators and or log jams along the way, but we can remain safe swimming behind our Father.

Dear Father, thank You for sending me a “perfect trainer” and protecting me with Your love. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Karen is a freelance Christian writer from Texas. Contact