The Road by Brodie Swisher On a recent roadtrip across the state of Montana I once again found myself caught up in the beauty of Big Sky Country. Having spent the early years of my life in the big city, dealing with bumper to bumper traffic and congestion, I’ve grown to appreciate the splendor of wide open spaces all the more. The picture perfect scenes of the Montana countryside make the time on the road a blessing. And this particular roadtrip was no different. The snow covered mountains reaching towards the cloudy sky was truly something to behold. But somewhere along the way I realized I hadn’t passed another car or truck in over an hour of driving. There was no one coming, no one going. The road truly was mine! But I couldn’t help but think, “There’s a lot of people missin’ out on experiencing what I’m experiencing as I travel down this road.” I was reminded of the passage in the Bible that speaks of the road of life and the brutal truth of where it leads for many people. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is very difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Did you catch that? Only a few ever find it. It’s alarming to me that the Bible says “many” people are on the highway that leads to hell. It’s bumper to bumper traffic with the lives of people headed down a path that leads to death and destruction. That ought to keep us up at night! It’s time for many of us to pull out a map (the Bible) and see where we are…and where we need be. Are we a part of the few headed down the road that leads to life or are we rollin’ with the masses? Choose to go against the flow today!
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One Shot by Brodie Swisher I love to shoot arrows at the targets in my yard. I find great joy in watching the simple flight of an arrow. While some spend big dollars on therapy, I find mine in the backyard, unwinding at the end of a long day, flingin’ arrows. For much of the year, my shooting regimen involves thoughtless shots at targets scattered around our yard and pasture. I shoot until my quiver is empty, go retrieve my arrows, and repeat the process. However, as hunting season draws near, everything changes. I go into somewhat of a routine that involves just one shot. With my bow in my hand, I step out on the deck and shoot one arrow. Just one. No second shots, no do-overs. Just one arrow. It is a mental game and practice for the real deal. As is most often the case, you get one shot when the moment of truth arrives on big game. It’s a fleeting moment. As quick as it seems to be happening…it’s over. Those breathtaking moments at full draw are what keep me in the hunt. A thousand times each season I wonder, “Will I make the most of the one shot I get?” I often wonder the same thing about the opportunity I have with my kids. I love being a daddy. It’s without a doubt one of my greatest joys in life. I treasure the moments I have with each one of my three kids on this earth and anxiously look forward to the time I’ll have with my little boy that went to heaven ahead of us. But I often find myself wondering, “Am I making the most of the one shot I get with them? Am I a living legacy of the kind of life that God would have them to live?” You see, we get just one shot with our kids. It’s a fleeting moment. The years come…and quickly go. Are we training them to follow the ways of the world, or are we equipping them to live a Godly life that will bring glory and honor to our great God? I don’t want to find myself, many years from now, with a pile of regrets and wishing for a second chance with my kids, my wife, a friend, or family member. We get just one shot. Will we make the most of the one shot we get? “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6 |
Brodie SwisherBrodie Swisher is a World Champion game caller, accomplished speaker, a notable writer, a skilled hunter, and all around down to earth guy! His travels take him across the country as a well known public speaker in the arena of outdoor events such as wildgame dinners, banquests, archery classes, and filming. Above all Brodie Swisher loves Jesus and he can't wait to share his passion for Christ with those he meets. Archives
September 2013
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