Created By Him, For Him

The Methow River in the Big Valley Unit

Deer hunting in early September has its challenges--and it begins with the heat. Sometimes reaching 90 degrees and almost always in the 80's it is hard to archery hunt in the early season without sweating. Most of the time we hunt early in the morning until about 9 or 10am and then head back to the cabin to chill until later in the evening. Most times we don't even get back out into the field until 4pm or so, sometimes later. Who wants to kill a deer in 80 degree weather? You'll end up spoiling a lot of meat if you don't hurry up and dress it out. Of course I haven't had that problem the last couple of years...

Sometimes though I just can't wait to get back out hunting even if it is hot. I don't have much time to deer hunt with my schedule so I have to take every opportunity. I've never had any luck in seeing deer when I've left early--in fact the one time I left early last year I ran into a bee's nest.

But even though I don't normally see deer I've had some great moments out in the field in the heat of the day. I vividly remember one afternoon that I stayed out in the field all day. I was in the Big Valley Unit near Winthrop and I was sweating profusely from the morning sun under the camo gear and face paint I was wearing. It was now nearing noon or so and I was tired, but I didn't want to leave for fear of missing an opportunity to arrow a deer. I decided to head towards the river.

As I neared the river I could feel a slight breeze which felt so good. I sat on the rocks near the river put down my bow (like I would really see any deer!) and pulled out my Bible from my backpack. I began to read from the first chapter of Colossians. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

I was sitting by a beautiful river with Canada Geese flying over me and a Belted Kingfisher sitting on the cable line that stretches over the river. Salmon were swimming in front of me and somewhere in the woods were White-tailed and Mule deer. I had seen bear tracks earlier in the morning and a pair of Wood Ducks flared from a nearby pool. "For by him all things were created...". All of these creatures were created by Him for Him. And there I was, stretched out on the rocks with my shirt now off basking in the sun by the Methow River. That's where it hit me--I was created by Him for Him.

Just as Jesus is at the center of everything and anything ever created--the animals, the church, the visible and invisible--He also deserves to be at the center of who I am. Colossians 1:21--"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."

So I just laid there for a few hours meditating on the supremacy of Christ and how I ought to stay firmly entrenched in the peace and hope that His supremacy offers me. I didn't get a deer, but I received a moment with Christ that will last my entire life.