Outdoor Truths

As I have written many times before, when one is in a tree stand, he notices the most intricate things. For hours on end a deer hunter is looking at the same view. He can only see so far in each direction. It never changes. So within his parameters he must learn to look beyond what he would normally see and find intrigue in minutia. These exercises remind me of days in a classroom when we were given a narrow subject and had to write a paper on it. The only way I could ever achieve the word count was if I used every flowery adverb and adjective I knew. There is just so much you can say about a stapler or a candle. The same thing goes for when one is in a tree stand. After a while you quit looking at the tree and start counting the leaves.

What I have noticed however, is how everything changes as the sun changes locations. When it first rises it casts long shadows and illuminates only the east facing boundary. As it goes higher the shadows get shorter and its light encompasses nearly everything. As it sets, another part of nature is revealed in a different and clearer way, and the long shadows return facing the opposite direction. The placement of the sun really does bring out different aspects of the same view.

I’ve noticed that people are this way too. We are so different and we look at things differently as well. Many of our differences cannot be explained by saying one is right and the other is wrong but instead by simply understanding that each of us sees things from a different perspective. I dare say the world that each of us lives in would be a lot friendlier if we recognized this. A perfect example is in our government. When someone writes, “I don’t know how someone can be a Christian and be a republican.” and someone else writes, “I don’t know how someone can be a Christian and be a democrat;” a light should go off that both are simply seeing things from a different point of view. This doesn’t mean there are not some things that are right or wrong but it does mean that somethings are based on how God built and our environment influenced our perspective. The Bible is not silent on this as well. Paul informed the Roman Christians about this when he wrote; “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.” (Romans 14:1-4 NLT)

There really are no two people who see everything the same and two of them have been married for 35 years. And just as she keeps me around when I may disagree, we should strive to keep others around as well … because we need each other and what brings us together is greater than what has the potential to separate us.
Gary Miller
gary@outdoortruths.org

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_{DISCLAIMER: The views, beliefs and opinions expressed in this article, Outdoor Truths, are those of Gary Miller and do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs or opinions of Courageous Christian Father. Outdoor Truth’s is a syndicated article published in various newspaper and online sources and has been used on Courageous Christian Father with permission from Gary Miller. #OutdoorTruths}

About the Author

Gary Miller

Gary began pursuing his desire to write a newspaper column to hunters and fishermen that would lead them to contemplate their relationship with their Creator. The column was picked up by two newspapers. After these many years now, it covers much of the country not only through several newspapers but also through regional magazines and online. His writing provided opportunities to speak to these same hunters and fishermen at events such as Beast Feasts. The results were men giving their lives to Christ.
Even though he was not raised in a hunting or fishing home, Gary has followed his heart to the water and woods since he was a child. What started on the banks of the local canal catching carp, now extends to every part of his life as he aims outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen toward Christ.

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