As I’ve found myself in a tree stand several times since bow season began, I spent some time among the branches reflecting on why I enjoy hunting so much.
The main reason I love it is not because of the time spent with loved ones. Not because venison is my favorite food, though it most certainly is. Not because of the times I score a nice buck. It’s because of the way I feel when I am hunting. And I think it’s how we are meant to feel all the time.
From the moment I enter the woods, I am listening, looking, ready for anything to happen. But, in fact, my expectancy begins long before my muck boots ever hit the ground in October. It begins with the preparation, which starts taking place months ahead of opening day.
You see, there are so many things that could prevent me from making a successful harvest. I could use junk equipment, I could neglect to sight in my bow or practice to shoot, I could walk in at the wrong time or from the wrong direction, I could set up in a really cruddy spot, I could fall asleep or stare at my phone rather than being aware of my surroundings, I could move too fast or swing my bow at the wrong time, I could shoot a tiny branch that I didn’t even see was in the way when I let off. So many things can mess up a hunt, and sometimes it isn’t even anything done wrong– it just didn’t happen that day. You never really know.
These thoughts made me realize that such a wonderful sense of expectancy, from becoming prepared to the moment when that first deer is sensed nearby, is something we humans are meant to feel all the time. We all know the difference between saying we hope something happens and actually, truly feeling a sense of expectancy. It’s a great feeling and it keeps us on our toes in a way that mere wishful thinking cannot.
I think we are meant to always feel that kind of expectancy with God. I think we are meant to continually expect that He will move, that His Spirit will work, in whatever circumstance we are in or are facing. If we are distracted, whether by falling asleep or staring at our phones, we may miss the opportunities placed before us. If we try to force things too quickly or aren’t aware of our surroundings in the way He needs us to be, we may blow the chance or hit something else that is in the way. If we aren’t in tune with what the Lord is doing, because we haven’t tried to familiarize ourselves with Him, we may miss His purpose or plan entirely. (So many parallels with hunting!)
Also, if we have not prepared ourselves ahead of time, we may not be able to rise to the call when it is made. We may find ourselves willing but ill-equipped for the job. Or, we may even prove to be unwilling because we haven’t prepared our hearts for what may be necessary. Like the hunter who didn’t sight in her bow, we could find ourselves facing a great opportunity but unable to step up and bring it home. To make a difference. An eternal impact. To say the words or act on what needs done in just that very moment.
I was reading Romans a couple days ago and I noted chapter 8, verses 24-25, which say, “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” That is the way we are meant to live each day, eagerly awaiting and hoping and expecting the Lord to move. For Him to use us and put us in situations where we can bring Him glory.
Being expectant will help you to better prepare. Someone who doesn’t think they’re going to see a deer anyway isn’t likely to practice. Someone who does expect to be given the opportunity at a shot is much more likely to take practice and preparation seriously. When you expect that the Lord will move and call you to respond, you will find yourself much more open and willing (and perhaps even joyful) to prepare through prayer, devotional time, reading God’s Word, and listening for His voice. Colossians 4:2 reminds us to “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Expectancy produces preparation. We don’t expect because we have prepared. We prepare because we expect. It’s nonsense to believe that because someone has stocked up on food, a big storm is bound to hit. Rather, many would say that because a big storm is about to hit, they will stock up on food and essentials as a means to prepare. Expectations fuel preparations. Not the other way around.
Expectations also fuel awareness. The expectation is based on an undying belief that something is about to happen, or is happening, or can happen at any minute. And we want to be a part of it. It fuels an awareness because we believe that God can use us in any moment, in ways we can’t predict, if we are prepared and alert. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 tells us “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” Luke 21:36 begins with Jesus advising us to “Keep on the alert at all times”… Are you catching a theme here?
In a similar vein, Christians are to always be expecting the return of our King. Jesus could return in full glory any day and although we say that, do we really believe it? Do our words and actions suggest that we really do live with that sense of expectancy? When we read the parables in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, do we really believe that our Lord is planning to return, and that we ought to remain aware and expectant for His coming? I’ll tell you what, that sense of expectancy fuels an amazing joy with which nothing on this earth can compare. Not even hunting.
Keep on your toes, my friends, and be ever expectant!
1 Peter 5:8, HLC
sacred strokes 