OUTDOOR TRUTHS: The real purpose
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By Gary Miller
My hunting season is over. I have scheduled a couple of fishing trips, but they are a few weeks away. Until then, I am surrounded by everything man-made. I don’t mind this too much after a season of God-made stuff, but I need to return to the God-made stuff quickly. But not for the hunting or fishing, but for the God of the stuff. You see, most of the time when I go to the woods I am going for the purpose of pursuit – whether that is for the purpose of scouting or hunting. When I’m in the woods I’m thinking about deer or turkey. When I’m on the water, it’s usually with a fishing rod. The point is that while I’m surrounded by the very handiwork of God when I am outside, I am focused on a more mundane activity. And sometimes (not all the time) my purpose doesn’t line up with my place. Let me explain.
What I need right now more than anything, is to be surrounded by creation for the purpose of being with and hearing from the Creator. My purpose needs to line up with my place. And yours does too. As you know because you hear it from me all the time, creation is the first way God spoke to his people, and it is still the first way He does it. Sure, the Bible is what we as Christians look to more than anything. But creation is how God speaks to believers and unbelievers all over the world. It is God confronting us head on with something so great that we must contemplate His desire to include us. And those of us who are Christians need to lean into hearing God through creation as well as through the scriptures. But to do that, we have to get in creation for this specific purpose. So, here’s what I’m going to do and maybe it’s something that you might want to do. Go to the woods or get in your boat and go to the lake, for the express purpose of hearing what God might want to say to you through His many masterpieces. When you get there simply ask God, “What do you want to say to me while I’m here?” And then, shut up, look at all the wonders around you, and listen. And then be able to answer this question should someone ask, and your life depended on it. “What was the one thing God wanted you to know from your time in the woods or on the water?” Be able to answer that question. If you and I do this, we will have perfectly used creation for the primary purpose it was meant. And I can’t help to believe the man-made world we are returning to, will be filled with a greater joy as well.
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■ Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Stay updated on Outdoor Truths each week by subscribing at Outdoortruths.org.
