4 Spiritual Lessons From a Deer Stand
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
My late father was an avid deer hunter. He was extremely passionate and did a great deal of hunting here in South Georgia, in particular, Fitzgerald.
Regrettably, we never went hunting together but I can keep his passion alive by going hunting and taking my children with me.
Growing up in North Georgia, I always heard about the great deer hunting that takes place in South Georgia. It is very satisfying to be able to experience that now!
I love sitting in the woods. It is an extremely calming experience and truly allows me to clear my mind, meditate on life, and enjoy God’s beautiful creation.
There is something majestic about watching the sun come up and witnessing the new day dawning.
To see the trees, hear the birds, watch the squirrels, and, of course, to have the adrenaline rush of seeing a buck walk out in front of you seemingly out of nowhere is quite the experience!
In the last several weeks, I have reflected on some spiritual lessons from hunting and I would like to share them with you in this article. Whether you love to hunt or care nothing about it, I hope and pray the following thoughts will be beneficial to your walk with the Lord.
There is a Creator and a Designer.
First, we learn that creation demands a Creator and intelligent design demands an intelligent Designer.
The Psalmist declared,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge” (Psa. 19:1).
Creation tells us that God is and the Bible tells us Who God is!
God spoke this world into existence (Psa. 33:6, 9) as the world shows forth His “eternal power” so there is no excuse for one to say there is a lack of evidence for His existence (Rom. 1:20).
To see the sunrise (or set), to hear the animals, to feel the cool air, and to be able to get an adrenaline rush is all a credit to the God Who made it all (Acts 17:22-32)
Be Still and Know.
Second, we learn the value of being still and knowing that God “is.”
One of the most comforting passages in all of Scripture is Psalm 46. In that great text, we are taught to trust in God for He is our refuge (security), strength (certainty, and a very present help in time of trouble (availability) (vs. 1).
As you navigate through the Psalm, you learn not to fear but to be encouraged knowing God is in control. The heartbeat of the Psalm is found in vs. 10:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
As we face the rush of life, it is extremely important that we take the time to “be still.” Hunting provides that opportunity.
Spend Time with God.
Third, we learn the importance of quality time with God.
The Bible says that we are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). This means that we need to have a constant attitude of prayer and do it often. Jesus, as busy as He was, made time to pray (Mark 1:35) and we must do the same.
I make it a practice to take my New Testament with me to the stand. Yes, I keep my eyes peeled for deer, but I also enjoy reading, meditating, and praying.
After all, the God of Heaven communicates to us through His Word and invites us to communicate with Him through the avenue of prayer!
Making Memories.
Fourth and finally, we learn the impact of making memories. It has been said that you don’t appreciate the beauty of a moment until it becomes a memory.
I have already made some wonderful memories with my two oldest children. Watching them watch deer for the first time was special. My son, Jaxton, watches them and is anxious to harvest his own.
My daughter, Henley, saw two does out in the field. She immediately pointed them out to me and just smiled at me. She then said, “They are so beautiful.” We were able to just watch them walk and play as they were both too small to shoot.
These moments with my children I will always cherish and I hope they pass on the tradition to their children. The lessons I am able to teach them through these occasions will hopefully stick with them for the rest of their lives.
As they learn to appreciate God’s creation, see the beauty in slowing down, and enjoy what God has given, I truly hope they can apply these lessons spiritually and draw closer to God.
The next time you are in a deer stand, “think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
May your appreciation for God and His breathtaking creation grow deeper and may you draw closer to your Creator (Jas. 4:7-8).
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
 | A guest post by
|