CAMOUFLAGE: What Are You Hiding?

I was interested at what the "text book" definition was of the word "camouflage". I was not surprised to not find any special meaning. It basically means to disguise, whether it is by clothes you put on or not giving all the details in a conversation. It derives from a French word and is dated at 1917 (so it is not as old of a word as some).

One of the biggest downfalls of "church" is the camouflage that we can easily put on each time we're together. This day may be one of the few that you are wearing a camouflage outfit, but this is probably not the only time you've worn "camouflage". We put on the traditional "nice" clothes when we come to assembly, when there is little that is "nice" going on in us.

Sometimes we come to assembly with our camouflage on, hunting people. We may shoot a glare at someone, stab them with our comments, or hide out to avoid. We're peering around trying to make sure that we don't have to be around them.

Other times, we come to assembly with our camouflage on, deceiving people. We are deceiving people because we don't want them to know what is really going on in our life. We don't want them to know that our week was terrible, that we just had a fight with a family member on the way (or an ongoing fight), or that we would rather not be here at all. No, we would rather put on our camouflage (clothes or smile) and pretend like everything is fine.

Christians are called to be unified and bear one another's burdens, to name a couple of "to be's". We are not ever asked to camouflage our life. Going to assembly or just meeting with your brethren, is a great time to gain the faith strength needed to head back out to be hunting for Christ's sake.

Do you tend to wear "camo" to assembly? Leave it at home, next time. Let people see you. Let them see your good weeks and bad. The church is here to help, not provide a place for you to hide!

Hunter or the Hunted

The outdoors is a great place to connect with our Creator. Those who enjoy hunting/fishing feel a sense of relaxation through being outdoors - sometimes for long periods of time. There are times when one will get up earlier than ever, sit in the cold for hours, come home with nothing, and think it was one of the greatest days they've had in a while.

The thrill in the suspense of waiting for that 10-pointer to come around keeps people going out again and again. If that "perfect one" doesn't come around after a long while, then they may settle for a smaller one. However, the fact that they killed a deer (in this case) revs them up! Shooting fowl has similar feelings. Coming home with many-a-bird lets them show off their hunt.

As we go through our life, we must be able to comprehend if we are the hunter or the hunted. Saul was a hunter of God's people, literally. He hunted them down and wanted them destroyed. However, as he was going to Damascus (with the intent to hunt more Christians down), he became the hunted, by God. This event changed him to be a hunter for God. He wanted people to be a part of what he is now a part of, which he was just persecuting people for, days earlier. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. You make the choice, with each choice, of whether you are going to be the hunter or the hunted - pursuing God vs. pursued by self/Satan/sin. Make the right choice!
2. Leaders are needed in households. Leaders represent the direction of the family. Be a leader in your family that directs the family toward hunting for God.
3. Too much is at risk to not let your family be hunted, instead of hunting. Don't let your family be at risk! Maybe even, take time to pray, read scripture, etc. of an evening, sometime before everyone goes to bed.
4. The next time you go hunting - for game, clothes, a part for machinery, etc. - notice how much effort you put into it, then take a chance to put that much effort into pursuing God.
5. Part of going hunting/fishing/camping is being prepared. Don't let yourself be caught off guard, on a daily basis, for that sudden Satan approach!

It is enjoyable to go hunting, but not enjoyable to be hunted. It raises your blood pressure as your heart beats faster. Overall, not the most healthy for you if you were going through this day after day. One of the best things we can do is to make sure that we are as prepared as possible and to take the offensive side, to hunt for God.

Again, you have to make the choice/commitment of which you are going to be - hunter or hunted. As you go through life, I hope that you will choose to be a hunter, pursuing God with everything He has given you!

Have a great week hunting for God!

Putting the camo on...