Hunting for God, Fishing for the Lord

2.03.2011

It's not necessarily the quantity of time that produces success in the ways of fishing and hunting. It's the well-planned, skillfully prepared, and carefully executed quality of time that counts... By means of mass-media advertising, we're told what to wear, what to eat, what to drive, where to live, how to be "politically correct," what moral beliefs to adhere to, and what new gadgets we must have to make our busy lives more manageable. Our possessions come to possess us. Our culture thinks for us, and manipulates us in ways we hardly give much thought... Thus, the vital importance of constructive activities emerges. We have to give ourselves a chance to think. When we engage in activities that gently occupy the body and the senses, the soul is free to be refreshed and nourished. Our intellect is free to think on its own. And what better place to do that than the great outdoors!? Having a fishing rod, a walking stick, or a gun/bow in hand is simply a doorway to the true refreshment that comes from being immersed in the beauty of God's creation.


I'm reading the book from which the expert above came..."Hunting for God, Fishing for the Lord" by Rev. Joseph F. Classen. I'm not all the way through it, and I'm not known to be much of a reader, but so far it's really drawn me in, and is a book every outdoorsmen should read and will enjoy. Think of what was described above...how busy, distracting, consuming our lives are...as Scott touched on last week. Why does a women enjoy a day at the spa or man enjoy a day in the woods or on the golf course? Refreshment...when our minds are subtly subdued there is room for our soul to be penetrated by the refreshment that comes from Christ. 

Just last night a group of us were having a discussion about Romans 12:2..."Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." How common is the question, "How do I know God's will for my life?" This verse spells it out, and Rev. Classen points it out quite clearly above...do not conform to the patterns of the world, those things which take your focus off of God, but make time for those moments that gently and subtly occupy your senses, and be transformed and renewed...it is then that you are able to see, and know, you are in God's will. And that not only brings pure joy, but relief and empowerment. Think of it.

Satan has created an unbelievable web of life to keep us entangled in entertainment...and as a result we lack the rejuvenation that comes from time spent with Christ more often than not. We are in a battle...we just don't recognize it very often...and when we do, we don't take it seriously enough.


-Jeff

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