| Outdoor Truths: Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ Dec. 23rd |
Gary Miller ~ outdoortruths.org
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I can’t remember a recent December that has been colder than the one we’re in right now. My area has been hit with snow, ice storms, and multiple days where the temperatures have stayed in the teens and even lower. And even though I have strapped on my boots a few times, the motivation to sit in a tree stand under the recent conditions has waned considerably…. I mean real considerably! I mean the, I think I’ll go try to shoot hogs in Florida, type considerably. Did I say it’s been cold?
One thing however, we have all noticed is how fish and game have a warming effect on the body. Who gets cold when the fish are biting? No one. And who gets cold in a tree stand when he is seeing constant deer activity? Again, no one. But on those days when the woods are empty of activity and when the fish are not interested in feeding, the temperatures always seem colder and find our skin the quickest.
There is no doubt that activity breeds warmth, just ask those who work outside and they will tell you that as long as you are moving, you can stay warm because it elevates your heart rate which in turn circulates blood throughout your body at a faster rate, which in turn warms you up. It all starts with the heart. And with hunters and fishermen, we don’t even have to do anything for our heart rate to increase. We only have to expect something to happen and our heart will begin beating like a drum. So when I am in a tree stand and I simply see deer, my heart rate goes up because I am expecting something to happen. And that’s why I want to always try to be in a place where there is a lot of activity. It keeps me warm.
In my spiritual life, the same key holds true. I find that if I keep myself close to God’s activity and if I live expecting the movement of God, my heart beats faster and warms up my whole life. I also warm up the lives of those around me. And that is really what I want to do.
Let me ask you, as you look at yourself today, who do you see? Do you see a warm or cold individual? And is that who you really are? It may just be that you have not been around enough of the activity of God. Because, I’ll promise you that it is absolutely impossible to see God move in your life and those around you and remain cold. And it is impossible to have your tree stand overlooking the activity of God and have hands too cold to give and too cold to serve.
It may just be that you thought you were in the right place. Your heart is telling you now if you are right.
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