It’s now trout season and the hunt will be on for some rainbows and maybe a brown or some square tails through the ice. Who is with me for another adventure?
This is much more than a fishing obsession. It’s more about adventure, living on the edge, and venturing into dangerous territories of life. Let’s face it; life isn’t safe even though most of our life’s energies are spent becoming more secure and that hasn’t worked well for me.
I must admit that my passions run deep to be in the outdoors. A similar passion which I have which almost seems to contradict being outdoors, is to explore the spiritual depths of knowing God. Discovering ones creator in presence apart from the perceived aura and allure of his artwork is very dangerous and exciting territory. I have met scores of people in the woods or on the lake who wave their hand over the surrounding wilderness and say “this is my church, I feel close to God here.” So begins the challenge to experience an awesome relationship with our creator (love God) over and above the adrenaline drip of the touch, feel, taste, smell, hear, and pure adventure of the outdoor pursuits. Sadly many only know creation and not the creator. Many feel it’s good enough until the restlessness inside tells us we need another outdoors “Fix”. I say go beyond the high of nature and go dangerous.
We were sitting by the campfire one morning and I noticed one of the guys deep in thought staring across the lake at the huge rock formations, “what are you thinking?” I asked. I will always remember his sighed reply; “we are not enough.” I didn’t need an explanation.
The song “You need a reason” sung by Bryan Duncan comes to mind often when I’m wilderness trekking or just off fishing a local lake.
So you’re not enough
And you’re sure it’s true
And you carry it inside
Chances are you’re not looking
Where you should
So you imitate
But you can’t create
I can see through your disguise
There’s a better reason for your life…
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” “what a rush,” “unbelievable, look at the size of that fish!” “and to think I almost didn’t come,” “listen…that’s got to be a bear!” “we have to do this again!” “No……….I… take… it..bbback…no….”(splash, only more like kapoosh), “got another one!” “I know what you mean, I’m not enough either.”
Does any of that sound dangerous to you? I hope so because it is. “So you’re not enough And you’re sure it’s true…”, now that sounds more dangerous to me in the long run. The cause and the cure.
The claims of Jesus 2000 years ago were dangerous then and still are today. Jesus said “I am enough” (John 14;6 for starters). How about this one; “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35).
I love to be miles into the wilderness and see a beautiful sunrise. I still feel the rush of a swan dive from 55 foot high rocks 17 portages into the wilderness. I know the coming off adrenalin shakes from a bold rescue in a wild river. I have known the restlessness that comes at the end of an outing. I now know the peace I feel and will feel inside after all is over. It only feels dangerous to totally surrender to ones maker. So I fish a lot and preach a little. I’m harmless right?
garyfultz 