A glimpse into the workings of a Reformationist Christian who loves the Lord, his wife, children, birddog and flyfishing...

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Abraham and Isaac; Shotguns and Sacrifice

I had an Abrahamic experience in the last few months.
When I was sixteen my Dad gave me a fine shotgun, it was a Spanish made double. It was just what I had ask for, the kind of gun that I had read that Nash Buckingham used to shoot ducks or a fine eastern gentleman would use to hunt grouse along the stone walls and thickets in New England. I truly treasured this gun; it holds so many fond memories. There were dove shoots where the barrels were hot to the touch and not many birds to show for the heat. There was the last time I hunted with Dad over a bird dog that was better than I deserved, Dad killed a beautiful cock bobwhite, what a beautiful day that was and I never fired a shot. This gun became a part of me, the more I shouldered the gun the more it was a part of me. Rail, Snipe and Quail all fell to this gun but more than a fine gun, was the memories it led me to create. Dad truly hit the ball long and far with this gift. He taught me to hunt and shoot and then gave me a tool to pursue the craft of be a sportsman. I once made the “perfect” shot on a pheasant in South Dakota; it was something out of a Gene Hill story, all because Dad gave me a fine gun. I have had many adventures in the field all made a bit more special because of this gun.
Now to Abraham and Isaac; Shotguns and Sacrifice.
After Dad passed away this summer I planned a Memorial Shoot to celebrate Dad’s life and to raise money for a young couple going to Spain to do missions work? Dad enjoyed Spain and I thought this was a great way to celebrate. I prayed “God how do, I make this event a success?” God answered “how much do you love me?” “Give your gun away as “the prize””. I was OK with that the gun was stuff and stuff is just stuff. About a week ago I got the gun out to clean it and have it ready for its new owner, as I picked up the gun and felt it in my hands memories of long ago flooded my memory, the smell of the steel and the feel of the smooth walnut in my hands. I took a picture of the gun cradled in my hand and then put it away as tears filled my eyes. I knew and was comfortable with giving it away, I knew and believed that it would help to promote the shoot and also raise money for the cause of spreading the Gospel; which is my purpose as a Christian and wow I am giving back to God, an offering that had a cost and it felt good to be obedient to the point of sacrifice. I cherished the memories that I had made in the field with this gun but the gun itself is a tool, right? I had thought I will get a gun to replace this one in the spring after I saved some money, but this fall no hunting for me this fall, I could take the kids and teach them this year, but I was just an observer this fall.
Abraham took his son to the mountain and told his servant that they would be back after they worshipped and gave a sacrifice. As they walked away Isaac asked “Dad we have no lamb to sacrifice”, Abraham responded “God will provide”. Isaac was then bound and placed on the alter and God said “STOP”, just as Abraham was preparing to sacrifice his son. God provided a lamb for the sacrifice. I am not saying that giving up a gun is the same as your son, but what I am saying is can you give something up that you cherish? If you can, can you trust God not only to replace what is sacrificed but to reveal Himself as a Great God? Can you glorify Him in the sacrifice? Do you trust Him to be the God of His promises? Do you realize His power and trust in it? I did so, but at times reluctantly, just ask my wife, although I was OK giving away my gun I was sad and frustrated about the situation. I remember complaining to Susan “how can I teach the kids to duck hunt if I don’t have a gun” or “we have a sporting tradition in this family and it is important to pass that down to the kids”. As I looked around our back room at pictures of 4 generations of sportsman I thought to myself “God what are you teaching me?” It was to answer those questions of trust and resting in the promises He has given me. Did I trust in His power? I did, but I could not for the life of me figure out how He would replace what I was giving Him, wow I must be really proud of myself “what I was giving Him”. I guess in the end I felt alone in this, my lovely wife understood at some point but I missed Dad and now I was giving away the only object he had given me that I cherished. I knew it was the right thing to do and I serve an infinite God but how was this going to be right in the end. My boys asked “Dad why are you giving away your gun?” and I responded “it is the right thing, God gave up His Son that we might have eternal life and because of that we will see Pop again and a gun is just stuff.” I knew that in my heart but my head kept trying to figure out the details. God had a plan though, one that I could not have conceived of even if I lived to be five hundred.
Sunday at church a man, I have known for a relatively short time and I were chatting and then he said “can we talk?” I said “sure” and we stepped off to the side and he looked me in the eye and said he was thinking about the memorial shoot I was hosting and he had heard that I was giving away my gun. I told him that I was and I thought that it would be a big draw and help earn the money we want to earn. He told me that he had sold a couple of older guns that week and purchased a new over and under for the shoot and he had decided to give it to me to give away so that I could keep my gun. I was stunned and speechless. I open my mouth to thank him and no words came, only tears. As the tears streamed down my face he hugged me like a brother and then walked away. I stood there stunned by the love this man shown, it was the love of Christ. Christ through this man had shown me mercy and love and provided a “lamb” to me. This man proved that God loves to give good gifts.
My sacrifice had taught me not to doubt and to have faith in my God, don’t try to figure it out just trust. His power is unexplainable and when I try to figure things out I am doubting, I will say that again when I am trying to figure it out I am doubting! Praise God for this gift. I realize to most this whole story may not make too much sense, it is just a gun and I could have gone and bought a new one. I agree but I also believe God knew that I was willing to give it up and He only wanted my obedience not my gun. I think that is all He wants is our willingness and availability. Do I think He may ask for something or everything in the future sure, but my God is enough and I would give it up, but the next time I will not try to figure it out, at least I hope I don’t? Thank you for showing God’s love to me this week. God thanks and praise be to you for loving me enough to prove yourself and give me a good gift.

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