We, meaning those of us who share a love of the outdoors
and hunting of various game birds and animals, are full into the season of “ennui”., pronounced “an we” No, it’s not
some mystical pagan celebration of sun’s position, tides or alignment of the universe.
Rather it is a sense or a feeling. It is
defined as: “a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack
of occupation or excitement.” Synonyms are: boredom, tedium, lethargy,
lassitude, languor, weariness, malaise…, well, you get the picture.
Here in Georgia, when the
temperature and humidity tend to meet somewhere in the 90’s.,there is an
oppressiveness in the atmosphere that settles in on you as you go about your
daily tasks outside.. Simple tasks like mowing the lawn sap your energy. .
Nothing that pertains to hunting can be done. It is much too hot for any sort
of dog work. The best you can do is check you hunting gear and look at
catalogues for any new merchandise that will improve your hunting experience
and daydream about last season’s enjoyment.
However, for many of the females in my family,
they delight in oppressive heat! It is a
time for them to “lay out” by the pool or the ocean for hours at a time,
working to rid themselves from the dreaded “tan line.” For me, it is a form of
Chinese water torture! Oh, the joy of
lathering yourself, with oil, going down to the beach, mixing sand with the oil
on your body, lying in a pool of sweat, only cooling off by going into the
ocean. Rinse , lather, repeat! But I
digress.
I guess God gave us spring
and summer for the animals to reproduce and for us to rest, repair and restock and
tend to those long forestalled chores that our significant others had suggested
be done several months in the past.
In speaking of “ennui”, I
sometimes wonder whether or not some of us experience on an ongoing basis “spiritual ennui” remembering its
definition as: boredom, listlessness, lethargy, weariness, or. malaise? Do we
lack a sense of excitement about our relationship with Christ? I have been
Christian for over forty-one years. Have I grown bored, listless or complacent
over the fact that the God of the universe chose to call me to be a child of
His? Has my prayer life gone stale? Has my desire for corporate worship grown
cold? The question is this.. Do I care? Am I concerned? Do I really want things
to change?
As far as hunting goes, there is nothing we can do
except be patient and wait for the various hunting seasons to begin and the weather
to cool but we can act on our spiritual malaise immediately. We can do what
King David did. In Psalm 51 he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord and
renew a steadfast spirit within me.. Do not cast me from your presence or take
your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me
a willing spirit to sustain me.” This says to me, if I truly want to break out
of my “spiritual ennui”, I only have to sincerely ask our Lord those things
David asked. Also, as it says in I Peter 5:6,7, which I have quoted so often,
we must “Humble ourselves under God’s strong hand, and in
His own good time, He will lift us up”.
In addition, if we are truly concerned about our spiritual condition, the next
verse (verse 7) says, “You can cast the whole weight of your anxieties(and
complacency) on Him because you are His personal concern.”
May we never grow too
comfortable or complacent about the marvelous gift that God has offered us in
the form of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
MINISTRY
NEWS
On Friday, June
17th, Net Work Ministries partnered with Marietta Country Club
Friday Morning Men’s Group to hold The Fifth Annual Wounded Warriors Golf
Outing on Friday, June 17th, at Marietta
Country Club.. This was not a fund raising event, but one that provided an
enjoyable day of golf to honor the Wounded Warriors and the sacrifices they and
their families have made in defense of the freedoms we all enjoy. This event is
held annually on the Friday closest to Flag Day. There were some 20 male and female Wounded
Warriors in attendance. It was an 18 hole scramble format with foursomes were
comprised of two Warriors and two members from the participating members of the
two host organizations. A continental breakfast and a wonderful Marietta
Country Club Buffet lunch along with gifts and prizes were provided for the
Wounded Warriors .
Continued in my
role as pastor to the staff of Young Life’s Southeast Region by meeting with
staff personally and communicating with them on a regular basis through email
and social media.
Continued
meeting individually with men for counsel and encouragement.
Continued
facilitating the Friday Morning Men’s Group.
Thank you for
making all this possible by your prayers and financial support
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