article by J.D. Huitt

Last Christmas, my wife and I recieved a gift from a good friend of ours.  It was a turkey feather that had painted on it a scene of two gobblers strutting in the presence of a hen in a spring meadow.  To see the detail that was put into this work is nothing short of amazing.  Even now, I have no idea how the artist did it.  To be able to paint with such precision and depth is impressive enough, but to do it all on the delicate surface of a turkey feather take the craft to an all new level.

As I sat there admiring the gift, I immediately wanted to know who the artist was.  I wanted to know how she had kept the feathers from bunching up and what she had to do to give such detail to the painting.  I wondered what other works she had created.  More than anything, I wanted to meet the artist in person and see what else there was to her work.

I often get the same feeling when I’m out in the woods.  Everytime I go out (and especially during turkey season) I’m awestruck by the details of nature.  But there’s more, because being awestruck by the art makes me want to know more about the artist.

There’s a great verse in the Bible (Romans 1:20, to be exact) that talks about how the qualities of God can be clearly seen through nature.  It goes on to say that in light of this, nobody has an excuse for not knowing Him.  Everybody that says they love to hunt or fish is essentially saying that they love the artwork of God, but it doesn’t stop there.  It’s knowing the artist that really counts.  Not only does it enhance the experience of being in God’s creation, but in enhances every other aspect of life also.

article by J.D. Huitt

As a hunter and sportsman, one offense that I have no tolerance for is poaching.  Everytime I hear or read about a big buck that has been spotlighted and shot, it makes my blood boil. Individuals who do this have no regard for game laws, proper management, and frankly don’t have the skill that it takes to properly harvest a game animal.

Not long ago, I came across this passage in the Bible:

“1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.”~Romans 13:1-3

As I read and studied over this passage, I came to realize something. Game laws are God’s laws. As Paul says in verse 2, “he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against God.” This doesn’t only include laws against poaching, but all of the laws that have been set up by our fish and wildlife institutions. Whether it is taking a few fish over the limit, shooting a game animal out of season, or not complying with the safety laws of our state, we sin against God when we don’t follow the laws governing the sports of hunting and fishing regardless of how large or small that offense may be.

As a Christian, I am called to a higher standard. God expects more of me and expects me to be obedient to both His laws and the laws set forth by the authorities that he has put into place. As a Christian hunter, He expects me to follow the game laws regardless of how big or small they may be. These laws and regulations are put into place to benefit everyone. They keep us safe and help to manage game populations so that we can all enjoy the outdoors for years to come.

The next time you’re in the woods and feel the temptation to violate even the smallest hunting or fishing regulation, remember that even if no one sees you, God still does. When you choose to be obedient, God sees that too. As Paul says in Romans 13:3, “do what is right and he will commend you.”

One of the things that I enjoy most about hunting is the opportunity that I get to observe God’s creation in it’s many and rare forms. I can’t tell how many hours of enjoyment I received just from watching squirrels play or from birds at work building a nest. With all of the challenges that nature presents to these creatures, I’ve often wondered, “How do these animals make it on a day to day basis?” I sometimes ask the same question of myself. Whether it’s the challenges of the workplace or financial or whatever, I can’t help but ask myself, “How am I going to make it?” Some folks would call this ‘worry’. It’s in those times that I’m reminded of this passage from the Bible:

25″Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

~Matthew 6:25-27, 33-34

The fact is that God values us more than any other part of His creation. If God is providing shelter for the squirrels through the harshness of winter or food for the sparrows during the hottest parts of summer, then how much more is He going to take care of his people, whom He values above the rest of His creation? The next time you find yourself in a position that is causing worry or anxiety, think about the last time you were out in the woods. God is taking care of everything out there. He’s going to take care of you too.

Check back soon for new articles on living the life in God’s Country.