Heart of a Hunter

And there's fury in a pheasant's wings

It tells me the Lord is in His temple

And there is still a faith that can make the mountains move

And a love that can make the heavens ring.

~lyrics from Calling Out Your Name by Rich Mullins

Another year of hunting comes to a close soon. It is always a sad goodbye and a chapter not easily closed for the passionate. The heart of a hunter is not what you would think. It is not the kill shot that drives the hunter to the field. There is more, so much more.

The beauty of the amber fields and rolling plains draws the hunter in with it's silent beauty. The vast sky of blue overhead infuses joy and hope to a tired, weary soul. Beauty abounds in the nature that surrounds. The sight of the hunter's dog as it leaps and prances with excitement starts the journey. There is always anticipation of what lies just ahead as the last minute preparations are made before the adventure unfolds; load the gun, fill your vest with ammo, and grab a water bottle for the dog.

The hunter and dog are now ready to embark on their journey. The dog weaves and winds it way through as it chases for the scent, the scent of the prey embedded here and there across the land. Labs were created for this task. Watch them work for 5 minutes and you will know. They come alive in this setting. Nose down, tail wagging furiously as the scent increases and a bird is close.

Pheasants are stubborn. They sit tight and won't budge until the wet nose of the dog almost touches their feathers. When the dog gets right on top of the bird, the bird can no longer resist and bursts into the sky with fury in it's wings. The hunter calls...Rooster! He takes the shot with eyes sharp and heart pumping. It all happens in a flash. The dog retrieves it's prize and prances back to the hunter with bird in mouth and tail still wagging. A prideful glow in their eyes, eager for their due praise from the hunter. Both so proud of their accomplishment and both so eager to do it all over again.

God is fondly named the Hound of Heaven for a reason. He is no different than the hunting dog. He wildly pursues us and seeks to capture us with His amazing love. He wants nothing more than for us to stop sitting tight with resistance and just surrender. He has no intent to harm; only to help us to become all that He created us to be because without Him, we never will. He created each of us, unique and gifted. He knows us so completely that He even numbers the hairs on our head. We are His passion and treasure! But, without Him, we will never discover our purpose, our gifts, or find our passion.

O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

~Psalms 139:1-18

Take some time to really ponder this chapter in Psalms. Imagine the Hand of God forming you like clay in your mother's womb. Imagine His care in fashioning all the days of your life before even one of them unfolded.

The Hound of Heaven wants all of you so that He can bless you and keep you in His loving care.

This Christmas give Him all of you and you will embark the journey that you were made for.

Pray with me...

Heavenly Father,

Oh, how we praise You. Soft white snow falls gently from the morning sky like Your soft, sweet Spirit falls upon us; gentle, quiet, and beautiful. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy sprinkled like snow all over our lives. All glory is Yours. Take our surrendered hearts this Christmas and fill them more and more with Your Spirit. Lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. Show us each our purpose. Fill us with passion to pursue it with the gifts that You have given us. Let our lamps be so filled with oil that we burn bright as Your Kingdom comes. In Jesus Name and for Your glory for now and for ever, Amen.