Opening Day of Hunting Season

Preparation is the key. You ready yourself for big things to happen.

It is amazing how people will prepare for things that are important.

Opening day of deer season is near. For days now, the animal trainers (notice they are not hunters!) have been preparing their hunting site. They have put out corn, arranged the field, the shooting angle. Some have even gone to the trouble (if you call it trouble) of putting cameras in the area to see the animals present. I guess you could call this candid for the kill? They have trained the animal to be present for the kill.

Now the real hunters are even more prepared. They too have been out in the woods. However, their preparation is more personal. The real hunters have bought all kinds of scents that they will put on their body the day of the hunt. They will smell more like a deer than more deer. Also, they have practiced painting their bodies with green and brown hues. Their hat is a tree that has been planted in their head. If it weren't for the hunter's orange they wear out of fear of other hunters or animal trainers present, you would walk right by them in the woods. Daniel Boone would be proud of them.

In the experience of the Israelites coming to know the power and presence of God, explicit instructions are given to them to prepare themselves for worship. The preparation was important as one was going to be in the presence of the most holy God. The expectation was that God was going to do what only God could do.

I wonder if worship would be more filling if we prepared ourselves. This week, before you worship, spend time in prayer. Read the Bible before worship. Pray for your pastor and your pastor's message. Pray for those who are worshipping with you.

It may be opening day for you to experience God anew!