BY Kevin Blankenship

As a single dad and business owner spending time with the Lord can often be difficult. As an avid outdoorsman, I have found that hunting is an excellent opportunity to spend time with Him. I do not have a lot of extra time, but I when I find the time, I spend some of it in the woods hunting! I have grown closer to Him with many hours spent in a tree stand or ground blind alone.

Bowhunting is a passion for many outdoorsmen in West Virginia. The excitement and work put into the hunt make the first day magical. I can remember the nights before the opening days of bow season, laying in the bed, having sleepless nights. I find the dream of harvesting that giant whitetail deer a bonus to my hunting season. As season after season has passed, I have found that hunting has become a spiritual growing time for me.

Even with the excitement of the first day of bow season, nothing is more valuable than spending time with the Lord. I hunger and thirst for Him and His righteousness! 

Psalm 42:1a – As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 

While praying to hear the Lord’s voice more clearly in my life, I was headed to my treestand one evening, and I listened to a song that came on the radio named “Voice of God.” This song ministered to my heart. The lyrics say:  “I can hear it in the crackle of a bonfire. And I can hear when the rain falls on my windowsill. On a playground where children’s laughter lives.” 

As I listened to the words, I thought, “What do I hear the voice of God in?” Wow, what an evening I had in my tree stand as I heard the voice of God in the wind blowing through the leaves, in the birds chirping in the trees, in the stillness of the forest, in the leaves as God’s beautiful creation shifted through the woods. It was beautiful to hear Him. I heard Him so clearly that day because I intentionally listened to hear His voice where I was. If I want to do what the Father tells me to do, I have to hear Him speaking no matter where I am.

The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. John 16:13 (CEV)

In those moments, I realized that I was hearing the voice of God in many things in my life, and I didn’t even know it. That evening hunt allowed me to know that God is all around and always speaking, and we have to open our minds up to His way and not just to human thoughts. He often speaks with a soft whisper in your ear, and you know it’s His voice. He also gives you that “nudge” in your spirit, and you know that it is Him. 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NASB)

After that experience, I hear God’s voice more clearly in my life through different occasions. So now, when I plan a hunting trip, I know that I will be hunting with Jesus!

Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God… John 8:47a (NLT)

While we settle our hearts to pray, I would like for us to listen to this song and experience the “Voice of God” in those things around us.

Prayer:

“Father,

I thank you for your amazing creation that you have allowed us to enjoy here on this Earth. Thank you for the beauty of the woods and the waters that I so much love that I can hear You. Thank you for my health, salvation, love, mercy, and your grace. Lord, we give you praise, honor, and glory! In Jesus Name!”

I will leave you with this verse:

Proverbs 3:5-6 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.

Kevin Blankenship is the Father of a 16 year old son, Aidan which has been the greatest commitment that the Lord has entrusted to him. He is owner of Westside Heating & Cooling; a local business in Oceana, WV.   Kevin is very active in his church, Christ Community Church. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and the overall great outdoors.