Removing Obstacles

With all that has occurred in the last few months, we find ourselves practicing more social distancing than we ever did before. Many of us have always enjoyed just being in the outdoors whether we are hiking, scouting, hunting, fishing, or one of the many other activities. This year specifically many of us find ourselves doing a lot more prepping for deer season than we have in years past.

As we are doing these things we set up food plots with our Hightower seeds, and have begun to scout and track our properties in preparation for our next season. We’re checking shooting lanes and identifying areas or trails that need to be trimmed or even what new options can be created. Access and egress are just a few of the plans we make in the offseason, but once that plan is established those paths and plans must be maintained. If not, come this fall when we are trying to get after those elusive whitetails we find ourselves fighting against ourselves.

After all, it is not until we are inside our Oak Ridge Blind, or our tree-stand, that we are able to focus on accomplishing a harvest. But if we have not prepared accordingly, and we haven’t maintained our path of travel, we can find ourselves in a struggle to get to where we need to go. We find trees have fallen, the brush is overgrown, creeks are flooded, and our mission to harvest becomes secondary as we struggle to just get to our hunting spots.

In the pursuit of a harvest we are quiet, still, and surprises are not our friend. Even with the best Blocker Outdoor gear, the most shootable Elite Bow, the newest CAMX Crossbow, or most accurate gun, if we are inhibited in our trek into the woods we end up making additional noise or traveling different routes stirring up animals and leaving sign in a greater area than we would have if we had been prepared.

Like the outdoors, if we allow things go to unchecked in our lives like anger and resentment, lust and greed we find ourselves with obstacles that slow us down and prevent us from where we want to go in our faith.

In Matthew 5:27-30 it says.

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”

What Jesus is saying in this scripture is that even if it was part of our physical body we need to recognize these things that cause us to sin, these obstacles, and get rid of them.

As Christians, one of our greatest goals each day should be to live as an example of what we believe. To love people when they hurt us with their words, to help people who will be able to do nothing for us in return, to be hope and honesty even when it’s difficult. To set an example of what it is to be a Christian in our work ethic, our conversations, decisions, and our demeanor.  Paul talks about this in Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Our goals become more difficult to accomplish when we allow obstacles to come between us and our objectives.

 If we are greedy how can we be understanding?

If we are driven with anger and hatred how can we show love, hope, or self-control?

How can we expect to be an example of Christ if the choices we make don’t reflect Him?!

If we are working on our relationship with Jesus, and we are wanting to be more like him that is our goal and main objective. It is up to us to recognize the things that slow us down each day and work to clear those obstacles.

We all understand that a hunter who does little preparation will remain a hunter who has limited success.

Regardless of whether we are talking about hunting or about life this one simple principle applies. Only when we acknowledge and remove our obstacles will we be able to reach our objectives and accomplish what the goal is. Without seeing those obstacles, making those preparations, and without having that level of commitment we can also expect that we will often come up short of our objectives and without success.

All of us have obstacles to overcome, but Christ has said in John 16:33

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Obstacles are not always things we can remove alone. Every day we need to seek out our obstacles and allow God to work in us and to use people around us to help us remove those things that are keeping us from living the example we ought to, and having that closer relationship with Him.

The Created Outdoors team is here for you if you have questions about who Jesus is; if you have prayer requests or if you would just like to talk. Our team would love to hear from you and we are grateful for the chance we have had to spend some time with you.

Please remember that no matter where you are in your life, and regardless of anything that is or that was; Jesus Loves You! He always has, and always will.