Bow-fishing: Unexpected Life Lessons

I was recently introduced to bowfishing. I know, like I really needed another excuse to spend money on gear and to get outside. Of course I was addicted from the first time I took a shot at a fish. However, it really set in when I actually shot my first fish; a small gar in our neighbor’s creek. From that moment on I have been hooked!

Lesson #1. I quickly learned that not many things are certain while bowfishing. It's not a guarantee that you will even see a fish. If you do see one it might not swim close enough to get a shot on it and the fish themselves can be unpredictable most of the time. The one thing that is certain: you are going to miss and you will miss a lot. This transfers over into our daily lives. We will miss what we are aiming at more times than we care to admit. We will sin and fall short of the glory of God, just as the Bible states. But that is the reason God sent his Son to save us and help us through life's difficulties and challenges. In life, just like bowfishing, you have to reel your line in quickly, nock your arrow again, swiftly get back on target and keep shooting. Yes it is embarrassing to miss, but, unlike a fish, God is forgiving and willing to give us chance after chance to get it right. This does not mean God has given us a free pass to sin. No, it merely means, if we do sin God will forgive us every time.

Lesson #2. While bowfishing you have to remember that the fish is not where it actually appears to be. There is a saying amongst bowfishermen "when you think your aiming low enough, aim lower." And this is definitely true I can't tell you how many times I have shot over the top of a fish but never have I shot under a fish. The refraction of the water makes the fish appear closer to the surface than it truly is. This is why it is so easy to miss. The same is true with Satan and our sins. Satan makes sin look different and much more attractive than it really is. Sin is essentially death in a box wrapped in pretty wrapping paper with a cute bow on top and your name on it. Sure it looks enticing, it's got your name on it, and would appear to be fun to open up until the consequences roll around and we witness first hand just how destructive our sins truly are.

I never expected to learn such valuable lessons while bowfishing but I should have known God loves to work in unexpected ways. Any time spent in God's amazing creation there are lessons to be learned and memories to be made! Next time you’re in the field start looking for what God might be trying to teach you! If you would like to know the God who created you and this world contact me at wesley.kaw@gmail.com or on any of our social media platforms and I will gladly walk you through the steps of starting and keeping a relationship with God your creator! God Bless!