LOOKING FOR A “FIX”
Doctors say, and many people can attest to the fact that drugs can take control of a person. Drugs can make a person do crazy things that “normal people” just don’t do. I’ve heard it said that thoughts of when and where your next “fix” will come from obsess your mind. I’ve heard that it only takes using certain drugs one time and you are hooked forever. Now I’m not a doctor, or psychologist, and I’ve never been on drugs, therefore I’ve never totally understood the “how’s” and “why’s” of these addictions…UNTIL a few days ago!
It all started one foggy morning when a friend of mine named Joe Finney took me on a duck hunt. We got up at dark-thirty and proceeded to wade chest deep in the dark through frigid swamp water. We made it to our hunting spot, set the decoys in place and then waited for the ducks to cooperate. During the hunt I made some new friends and hunting buddies including Joe who I’ve already mentioned, Matt Stanly, and Matt Benfield. These guys were experienced, hardcore duck hunters. We had a great time tellin’ lies, laughing at each other falling in the miry swamp, and we even got to pull the trigger on a few ducks.
Being a rookie duck hunter, I had some important lessons to learn. One lesson that I quickly learned was to always keep your eyes on the sky. Just looking up at the tree line around the edge of the swamp wasn’t good enough. You must look up – almost to the point of getting a crick in you neck. The ducks that we hunted dropped out of the foggy sky like feathered rockets. If you’re not focused on the sky it just happens - they seem to materialize out of thin air and you miss your chance only to hear them break the sound barrier as they pass. At that point it’s over and there’s nothing you can do!
After this happened the first time, I realized that there was a great life lesson there in the midst of that flooded timber. If I can just keep my eyes on “the sky,” focusing on God, I’ll always stand ready for whatever life drops out of the fog. All too often I take my attention off Him and miss out on His perfect will for my life. Fortunately for us, God is a God of second (and third and forth etc.) chances. If we just look up we can get back on target, and pull the trigger on living life to the fullest – the way God wants us to.
Now, when I lay my head on the pillow at night, I see ducks flying over the decoys. I wonder where and when I’ll get my next feathered “fix.” I just can’t wait to get out my shotgun and stick my feet back in the freezing swamp water. I’m hooked after only one hunt. Imagine that!
“Hello, my name is Jeremy and I am a Quack-addict.” However, I’m not alone. There are others who taste the gunpowder and smell the swamp water when they close their eyes. I guess we’ll just have to help each other through it – cause that’s what hunting buddies do. Thanks for the hunt fellas – KEEP LOOKING UP!
Keep your eyes on the Lord!
You will shine like the sun
and never blush with shame.
I was a nobody, but I prayed,
And the Lord saved me from all my troubles.
Psalm 34:4-6 (CEV)
