This is this weeks Outdoor Truth with Gary Miller titled A Toil or a Tool Against the Wind.

Outdoor Truths – A Toil or a Tool Against the Wind

I’m not much of a duck hunter. I like it but in my area there are not many places to go – or many ducks. So, my duck experiences are usually in other states as a guest of friends. As a result, it has taken several years for me to put together a mental picture of everything involved in duck hunting. One of the things I’ve notice that is pretty important, is knowing what variety of duck is flying into the decoy setup. There are laws for each species and you better know what you’re shooting before you pull the trigger. Ignorance has never been an excuse a wildlife officer has allowed. There are big ducks and little ducks. There are divers, mallards, mergansers, buffleheads, teals, and many, many more. At my level of knowledge, I only know if it has a green head, it’s a drake (male) mallard. For others, I’m still depending on my guides for help.

One of the things I learned about ducks is that when they come in to land, they do so against the wind. They prefer the wind pushing against them instead of coming from behind. It seems they don’t trust the possibility of a sudden gust that might push them headlong into an undesirable place to land. They need a certain amount of resistance to match their own energy or effort. This headwind can be stiff and difficult. To them, however, it is not contrary to their effort, but complimentary. It may be demanding and challenging at times but it keeps them on target. They have turned the toil into a tool.

I have thought about this many times as I have witnessed a duck cup its wings to land. I have thought how God uses the headwinds of difficulty in my own life to keep me from going too fast, to keep me on target, and to keep me from landing headlong into a mess. In fact, for a follower of Christ, He has promised that every single pain or problem will be used to land his child at the perfect place he has for us. And the most seemingly insignificant concern will not go unused – that every toil is a tool in the hand of God.

Are you bemoaning the wind that is against you right now? Does it seem that it’s keeping you from where you intend to go? It may be, but it’s not keeping you from where God wants you to be. Trust Him. He controls the wind and He knows how much resistance you need for a safe landing.

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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