Deer Hunting in Deer Pants?

I grew up in 'rural' Wisconsin where the deer (but no antelope) played until...that appointed time in November when the good men and women of the Northwoods dress all in orange and express their inner Elmer Fudd (the hunter). 
Looking maybe like Hare Krishnas with Guns? 

November 18-26 was rifle season for 2023 in Wisconsin, so if any deer are reading this... CONGRATULATIONS, you made it through another year. Now, remember to stay off the highways.
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​Now let me segue from the gun-toting mentioned above Wisconsin venue to Psalms 42:1. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 

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Of course, my cartoonist brain pictures DEER PANTS as waders worn by deer as they live in the great outdoors, with lakes, rivers, and bogs for water, keeping their little hoofies from getting pruny. 

Or.. Bucky Boucher is like Bobby Boucher, aka 'Waterboy' or, in this case, Waterbuck.. who knows quality H2o when he sees it. 

Now let me safely but 'awkwardly' segue BACK from dry hoofies to the vital truth of Psalms 42:1. 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 

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This desire for God should be our #1 pursuit, BUT what does it look like to desire the Lord that way?

Recently, my wife and I had dinner with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and we discussed Psalm 37:4- Take.delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Psalm 37:4 raises the question, just like Psalm 42:1. What does genuinely delighting in the Lord look like? I know it is a beautiful verse to read, but does it describe my soul's desire. Do I delight in the Lord, and if so, what do the true desires of my heart look like?

The desires of this world appear to be greed, power, status, and pleasure with very few boundaries. It goes without saying Christians should not share these desires of the world. So, what are these Godly desires of my heart? Godly desires will bring you... the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4:7

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What would be the result if these Psalms measured my pursuit of and love for God?

Does my soul desire God? Do I delight in Him? Or does this pursuit of God get derailed after a long day of doing life with this or that crisis and/or perceived crisis?  Where is my delight and my desire? ​It takes a concerted effort to focus while living amid the clutter of this 24/7 rush hour distracted world. 

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Mt 6:10. This part of the Lord's Prayer should be foremost and paramount in our minds, hearts, and will.

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Next... more good instruction from the Apostle Paul

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

To Put this all together... To fit the desire and discipline of Phil 4:8 perfectly with a soul that desires Ps 42:1 and delights Ps 37:4 in the Lord while seeking His will Mt 6:10. This will result in a life with the Peace described in Phil 4:7, 

But honestly, the above scripture truths are easier said than done. This world muddles truth and reality with its barrage of 24/7 news propaganda and social media narratives against God and painting traditional Christian values as hate speech.

But if we seek God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love others as ourselves, Mark 12:30-31 the rest will be trivia by comparison, and then we can be content no matter our circumstance.

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I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength! Philippians 4:11-13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

May God bless each of you in your pursuit of Him. There is no more excellent pursuit than our creator. Come thirsty,  and stay.. satisfied.

Jeff (not hunting) Larson

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