On the hunt

Have you ever been on the hunt for something and just not be able to locate it? I have heard how insanely hard it is to find new appliances these days because of the pandemic slowing down the manufacturing and shipment of the appliances to stores. One friend shared that her fridge absolutely conked out and she had to shop everywhere just to find a replacement. When she finally found one, it was still going to be a week before it would be in stock and delivered! Even when she was 'on the hunt' and knew what she needed, it was insanely hard to find. For me, it is finding clothes that fit the way I like them to fit, in a style that is practical, and at a price point that won't break the bank. We all have those things that we are 'on the hunt' for from time to time, but it is the thing that we are on the hunt for each and every day that will either make us or break us. If the 'hunt' is right, the results are bound to be fruitful!

Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life! (Proverbs 21:21)

Right and kind might actually be better translated "righteousness and mercy" - the aim of the hunt is twofold - be on the hunt for all that is right and never settle for something that isn't based in God's mercy. To be truthful here, I have 'settled' for a good many things in my days that were neither 'right', nor remotely grounded in God's mercy. They were things that 'looked good', but proved to be not so good for me in the end. We probably all have had those moments of 'settling' for something, then regretted it in the end, huh? God's plan is quite the opposite, but it involves us being willing to lay down what we 'think' we want or need, and then begin to obediently pursue the things he 'knows' we want and need.

I am called all the time by these folks that want to buy houses and will pay you cash for your home. They assume I still have a mortgage and that I may want to leave my home sometime soon. I stop them almost immediately when they declare their purpose for calling, politely telling them I have no interest in selling just before I begin to depress the receiver. Today, so many want bigger spaces. I might like a little more room and a huge shop in the back to pursue my hobbies, but I am quite content with what God has given to me. I may have a shed that I have converted into a workshop, but it does the job nicely. I don't need more - I need what is best for me and God always knows what that will be.

There are a couple principles here we should not miss. First, we have to be active in the 'hunt'. We don't find what is right and merciful just by sitting around doing nothing. A hunter will tell you there is a great deal that goes into the hunt in the way of preparation. Being in the right spot at the right time isn't by accident - it is purposeful planning and preparation. The same holds true in our spiritual life - we don't just latch onto good and righteous things in our lives because they fall into our laps. We have to pursue them with tenacity. 

Second, we have to know what we are want. If we just go window shopping, chances are we will buy things we didn't even need. When we are on the hunt for the refrigerator that has the dimensions that fit our household needs, we are more apt to search and search until we find it. Spiritual truths don't just come alive to us because we open our Bible verse of the day app. We have to really read it, look at it in context, and then ask God to reveal truth to us - how we need to use that scripture to become more like him in our daily lives. We pursue righteousness and mercy - seeking the right stuff, that fills the right 'space' in our lives is essential.

Lastly, we won't be on a fruitless hunt when we have hunted with this type of tenacity. We are bound to find righteousness and mercy when we seek God first and allow the others things of this world to become less important to us. Just sayin!