Next

I knew it would be the last sit of the season in this particular stand. The weather was perfectly crisp and the recent rain had a normally dry stream bubbling and gurgling like one of those peaceful nature cds that people buy to help them go to sleep. Just thinking out loud here, but why not just relieve the stress by going out into nature and experiencing the real thing and spending the cd money on something more essential like bullets or broadheads? I digress! Back to my hunting experience…

In the midst of the perfect weather for my last late-season hunt of the year, I was physically in one place, but my mind was on something totally different – Next hunting season! I had learned a lot during this season. I understood more clearly how the deer use the property I’m hunting. I have ideas of how I can improve the land for deer management. I desire to add a stand or two in different locations. I have all these desires for next season, but it’s still this season and I’m still in the deer stand. In my estimation, that’s a wise way to handle just about everything in life. Do what you’re doing to the best of your ability, but always be looking for what’s next.

So, what’s next for you? In this brand new year of 2019, what’s next? Oh, I know, you have to work, go to school, raise kids, do homework, etc. etc., but beyond the here and now, What’s next? Just down the road beyond what you can see and be certain of, there’s going to be an obstacle, an opportunity, an open door to present something that you might not have even considered. What’s next? Is it a new job? Is it a new activity or hobby? Whatever our next things are, I hope that we’ll all couple them with a NEXT phase in our walk with the Lord. Let us do all that the rat-race of life forces us to do with the best of our ability while purposely plunging ourselves into a deeper relationship with Christ. Let’s read the Bible for the next or first time. Let’s look for the next person to share the hope of Christ with. Let’s go to church next Sunday. Let’s strive to be the next sold out person that lives completely for the glory of God. What’s next for you?

So while I was sitting in that tree thinking of next season, movement caught my eye, and the deer I was after came my way. That deer turned out to be my next one and probably my last one for this season…but look out NEXT year! I wonder what next year holds in store…My goal is to keep doing each day those things that I have to do to the best of my ability while continually looking to the NEXT thing – whatever that may be! Now, whether this season or next…this new year or next…somewhere down the road, I’ll see you in the Great Outdoors!