Dec
28
2009
The Lordship of Christ over the whole of life
Francis Schaeffer taught me this phrase: “the Lordship of Christ over the whole of life.” I love it.
I also love to hunt. But maybe the word also shouldn’t be there. So I’ll just say, I love the Lordship of Christ over the whole of life, I love to hunt. The former wraps around the latter. Really, there is no also anywhere in a Christian’s life. The Lordship of Christ is an all-encompassing, all-sanctifying whole.
Some of my friends object to hunting. Christ is the Lord of their conscience, he is the Lord of my conscience, so we disagree charitably and give each other space.
As the 2009 deer season winds down, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Hunting is so opposite to everything else I do — tramping through the woods in camo with my 30-06, being quiet in a deer stand for hours on end while reading, praying, worshiping, planning, sermonizing, snoozing, with the occasional moment of off-the-charts excitement when a buck like this one shows up, and so forth — for me, it’s rejuvenating.
I receive it, with all else, from the hand of my Friend, Jesus Christ the Lord of all, and I give my heart to him eagerly and sincerely.
13 Comments
Great buck Ray!
I’ll be in the field for what is likely to be my last goose hunt of the season.
Enjoy the last few days of 2009.
Jude
I’m no hunter, and I am not sure if I will ever get into it. But I play computer games time to time, read comic books time to time.
And I love the Lordship of Christ over the whole of life.
I think the Lordship of Christ over the whole of life is the only sure foundation in enjoying anything in our lives, whether that be time with family, sleeping, praying, hunting, driving, gaming, running, eating, working, reading, everything.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts through your blog, your blog has been a great encouragement to me for some time.
Nice buck, Bud. Seeing it challenges my sanctification; I’m jealous.
Reminds me of a quote from Abraham Kuyper, an influencer of Schaeffer, and advocate of sphere sovereignty:
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all does not cry out: ‘Mine!’ And, I would add, if Christ cries out, ‘Mine!’ then the obligation of Christian people in the Church is to look at all of creation and cry out, ‘His!’ Jesus is Lord over every aspect of life — how we spend our time, what we read, how we form our families, the way in which we build neighborhoods, the law, politics, science, music, medicine, and on and on.”
Thank you, Pastor Ortund. This is a helpful and timely word for me and my fellow church-members (avid deer hunters) I have shared it with. The Lord bless you in the new year!
Wonderful! And congrats on the buck!
Dr. Ray,
I’m sensing the smile of God on you in this picture… oh, and by the way, that rifle looks familiar…. I always knew you would steward it well. Still reading your sermons and I marvel at how deeply you have shaped my own preaching. There is much Ortlund in my words.. Also, spent most of advent reading your Isaiah commentary, still my favorite!!!
Much love to you,
Matt Ballard
Matt Ballard, you rascal! Man, I miss you. And yes, that is THE rifle. Thank you for it.
So, when are you finally going to see God’s will and move to Nashville? Ray loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
Pastor Ray,
Out here in Colorado, there is a lot of Elk hunting going on these days. Some friends of mine love this particular activity and were showing off videos taken of their last successful hunt. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the head of one being held up because he looked just like Mr. Tumnus from The Chronicles of Narnia. That said, we had the most fantastic Elk steaks for dinner and I was most assuredly thanking Jesus for them. =)
Thanks for the reminder that Jesus is Lord of ALL things!!
Blessings from Colorado,
Bethany
Outside of my time in my local church, there are few things that stir my love for my Creator and Savior than deer hunting. Not much in this life beats chasing a big buck (like yours) around in the mountains (where I live) while acknowledging that all of this pleasure comes from a God who is willing to part with His own Son for our salvation and His glory.
Way to go!
I don’t hunt — I’d rather curl up with a good book or movie and a well-crafted beer — but I rejoice in your gratitude for His many good gifts. I enjoy your blog!
Ray- Great insight. Thank you.
A.W.Pink said (paraphrased) “There will be no rest for the poor heart until it begins to see God in everything”. I think he would agree with you that there is no “also” for the believer.
I pray that you and your family enjoy a blessed year!
Troy
Two more deer last night.