Bible Study Verse
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)
Thoughts
Recently I came across an article about slowing down, making time for the simple things in life.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, the author, offered perspective on man's inability to slow down and get involved in the more simple things in life. He said, "It doesn't actually take any more time to say good-bye or hug someone you know, your children or whatever in the morning when you're on your way to work. But the mind says, 'I don't have time for this.' But actually that's all you have time for, because there's nothing else than this."
Another example of people not being able to enjoy things in their lives was an angler that I drew as a fishing partner at a Bassmaster Classic I attended a few years back.
BASS invites six non-professional anglers who have won regional bass club championships to fish in the Bassmaster Classic. To fish against the elite of the bass fishing world and have a chance to win the biggest tournament championship in the world is quite a big deal. He should have been enjoying being able to fish the Classic. Instead, after about 2-3 hours of fishing on the first day of the 3 day tournament, without a bite or catching a fish, he was calling it quits for the tournament.
Fishing rods and miscellaneous pieces of fishing tackle were strewn all over the front deck of his boat. I advised that calling it quits would not put the BASS people in a very good mood. He did fish out the day, but his heart wasn't in it. His fishless streak continued pretty much the rest of the three day tournament.
(Tom B)
Action Point
"My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding," Psalm 49:3 (NIV). The angler I was observing at the Bassmaster Classic never decompressed. He may or may not have been a believer. However, I'm at fault for never taking the advantage of a great witnessing opportunity. I was too shocked at hearing him say he wanted to pack it in and head back to the launch ramp.
I agree with Kabat-Zinn on slowing down and opening our lives, "I don't have any time for this. But actually that's all you have time for, because there's nothing else than this." I'm guilty of this, not exactly in the same situation he describes, but in my own set of circumstances. Do you face the same type of situations in your lives?
I'm sure Kabat-Zinn has spent much time researching and studying in his chosen field. However, you know what? He never mentioned God in his discourse. He missed out on one of the greatest resource materials on making life count, the Holy Bible.
Meditate, read the Word. "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress," I Timothy 4:15 (NIV).
We are all going to face stress. Handling stress producing situations is pretty simple. Seek the Lord first.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day:
Waders are not only a duck hunting essential, but can be used for both fishing and hunting. If you are fishing in cold weather or foul weather, waders will keep you warmer and drier than any rain suit.
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