I have always enjoyed playing sports. I played soccer and basketball on teams as a kid. We played strikeout (local favorite) at the park for hours on end. We attempted tackle football on the empty lot down the street. I rode my bike to more places than I can recall. To this day, I am not sure how we didn’t break any bones.

As seasons of life and getting older occur, so do the activities that we enjoy.  I recently played pickup basketball and it reminded me how much I missed it. Local rec leagues don’t jive with my nontraditional work hours as a pastor so I started exploring other activities: hunting and fishing.

Those who have known me a long time are a bit surprised by this. I fished here and there as a kid and teenager but all I caught on my line were trees, tires, and whomever was fishing with me. I never hunted before. There are some hunters in my family but not in our immediate family. Last Fall was the beginning of this new chapter in my life story.

A year ago, I studied and passed the online Hunter’s Safety Course. I went rifle hunting for deer in the winter and turkey hunting in the spring of this year. I also renewed my fishing license and I am not sure when I last had a license.

Today’s blog is not about the actual hunting and fishing experiences of the past year. Those are for another post. I want to tell you why I got into hunting and fishing and why you should too….

• Hunting and fishing take alot of focus and mental energy. For myself, that means I can’t be checking my emails and doing work while I’m out in Creation. Hunting and fishing make me pause.
• Being outside is good for you. I can experience God anywhere but being in nature is His invitation to experience all dimensions of His masterpiece. Different birds chirping at each other. Squirrels being weird.  Deer acting like ninjas as they creep through the woods. The colors of the sky which are painted by the Master Artist.
• Hunting and fishing are outside of my comfort zone. I have a decent jump shot for basketball still; however, learning the techniques, laws, and tactics for hunting and fishing will humble you.
• Shared experiences are one of the best memories. Hunting with my wife in the snow. My father in law showing me how to safely use a rifle and shotgun. Hunting with my brother in laws, nephew, and some friends. Laying in the woods as we called in a turkey — only for him to be distracted by the lady turkeys. Catching my first fish, a brown trout, with my buddy, Jesse. Upcoming fishing trips with two of my closest friends.

Hunting and fishing can be a holy and healing experience for your heart and soul. I hope you try them. I pray you find God’s peace out in Creation today.