BE READY
1 Peter 3:15
"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
It's funny how turkey hunting has become an obsession of mine over the past five years or so. Most seasons in the Midwest begin around the end of April each year, and run for a little over a month. The season comes and goes, and my brain normally switches over to archery mode around the end of June. But when February rolls around, I start to get that little itch again. If you were to look through the windows to my house around the first week of February, you would see turkey calls scattered around everywhere, and turkey hunting YouTube videos playing on the tv. Even though it's two months before I can even get out to start hunting, I still like to get all of my calls and gear ready in advance. I want to be ready when the big day rolls around.
The Lord has a way of convicting us sometimes, because I've started to wonder if I am as prepared spiritually as I am with turkey hunting. The book of 1 Peter tells us that we need to always be ready to make a defense for our faith, in the event that someone asks us about what it is that we believe. In the same way that I clean my shotgun, test my calls, and gather up all of my hunting gear, it's even more important for me to be preparing myself to defend my faith. This involves studying God's word, talking to God, and even praying for wisdom in the times that we do get to share our beliefs.
The thing about turkey hunting is that it only brings temporary satisfaction. The memories and stories that we collect from our years in the woods might last us a lifetime, but that doesn't even begin to compare to eternity. The impact that we make on earth for the kingdom of Heaven will last forever. That's the stuff that truly matters. All of us are going to stand before God someday, and we will be judged for the things in our life that impacted souls. I'm pretty confident in saying that God isn't going to ask us how many turkeys we killed. His main concern is, one, whether or not we accepted His free gift of salvation, and two, how many people we reached with the Gospel. And the only way that we are going to be able to do that is if we are prepared.
I don't want you to get the impression that I think turkey hunting is a bad thing, but I just want you to take an honest look at your life and see where your heart is. It's easy to get all caught up in the excitement of Spring. After being cooped up in the house all winter, it's hard to not look ahead to the days when we're leaned back against a tree, shotgun in hand, and a fired up Tom is working his way into the decoys. We just need to remember what our true mission is on this earth. We're here to reach the lost, and make disciples of all nations.
So with turkey season coming upon us in just a short while, now is a good time to prepare your gear. But in the midst of the chaos, make sure that you're prepared to do the very thing God has commanded us to do: share the truth with everyone we run into. Whether it's your lifelong hunting partner that doesn't know Christ, or the person at the gas station that sells you your breakfast before the morning hunt. Don't be the guy who doesn't have an answer to give when someone asks him about Jesus. Study the Scriptures, pray for wisdom, and most important, be
ready.
Thank You Micah Hulce
Help achieve the mission - GIVE today
Click the button to sign up for Dean’s Daily Devotional. FREE and delivered daily.