Too Busy to Hunt

Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

Have you ever heard of someone being too busy to hunt? I sure have! In fact, I’ve said it a few times myself this past season. Life has a way of moving along and changing a few priorities. I’ve got a wonderful wife and two little boys. The discretionary time I once had to jump in a tree stand or fish early on a Saturday morning is now occupied by those young ‘uns. They
are worth every minute, too!

Despite not hunting as much as usual, the experience becomes more than predator and prey. Yes, the challenge is invigorating, but so is the experience and fellowship. The quantity of my trips has decreased, but the quality has definitely increased. I appreciate more the precious time that is spent outdoors, whether it’s with friends, or just one on one with God. I find it amazing that no matter how old I get, or how busy I am, the woods and water are timeless entities. They never change. In an instant, I can be taken back to my childhood, free of responsibility, full of innocence, and searching for adventure. We all miss the “carefree” days, but they are not far away when you rest in God’s Creation, the great outdoors.

I believe the timelessness of the outdoors is not by chance. God created everything that way. God is timeless: He was, He is, and He always will be! God
sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for you and me, before we were ever born. This is the kind of love and power that formed all of Creation in just 6 days. It is no wonder why He rested on the seventh day! If God in all His power can see fit to take a rest, then by granny, so can we. Let’s go back to Sunday being a day of rest, relaxation, and reflection. If you are at a stage in your life where you find you
are too busy, don’t miss the forest for the trees. Take a step back, appreciate all God has blessed you with— your wife, children, grandchildren, parents, friends,
home, health, and so on. Take time to thank the Lord for Who He is and what He has done. He has created all you see outdoors that we may know He is God. Get back to your first love. Too busy? Enter into God’s rest by spending time in His Creation.

Excerpted from Around the Campfire: Devotionals for the Sportsman, by Thomas Naumann . For more information, visit J. Countryman publishers at www.jcountryman.com.