The Obedience Hunt

I enjoy hunting. From my first hunt as a kid in Montana, it has been something I knew I would do for the rest of my life. There is so much more to it…if you let it. There is the incredible experience of being out in God’s creation and enjoying the mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, plains, open prairies or dense forests. Here in Michigan, you regularly encounter more than the animal you are looking for…it is not uncommon to see birds and bugs, squirrels and skunks, chipmunks or coyotes. Then there are the sounds…smells...changes in weather… and going out with friends…all play a part of the experience and the privilege. And if you are not careful...you can miss all of this because of focusing on solely on bagging the buck.
My hunting experience this year has been an experience to say the least. I have hunted with two long time Christian friends. Each morning or afternoon, we have been diligent to be in the woods and prepared for our hunting objective, whitetail deer, to come within range. But in my “neck of the woods” the only things to come near have been--Nut Hatches (birds), a Red headed Woodpecker, and a bunch of well fed gray and black squirrels. Oh, I have seen deer almost every day, but they have been out of range or at dark…or on dead run in the other direction. And of course, each night after dark…3 or 4 deer faithfully show up in my friend’s back yard... just to let us know they really are there.
As I was sitting in the woods, I realized how much this hunting season has been a parallel to my journey in obedience. I have been hunting for that deep, intimate relationship with God that demands my obedience to go deeper or farther… toward the intimacy I have craved for a long time. I see how easy it can be to focus on the end result of obedience instead of enjoying the “hunt experience”. Each morning I am spending time in the very Nature of God as I read, meditate and engage God in his Word. I have found myself encountering some of God’s unique creatures…like reconnecting with old friends who recognize God’s impact on my life…incredible prayers with and for new friends…and lamenting (see Psalm 56 with verse 8 as the key). But unlike the deer trying to evade me, God is not…he is at work in me and invites me to join him as he works in his kingdom. It is my obedience that moves me to “hunt” the deeper experience with the Father who also shows up in the dark times…just to let me know he is really there...and how much he loves me!


Obedience verse for the week:
"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." John 15:10