The Effects of Our Affections

I believe there are two core means to identifying what I would call a “quality sportsman.” The first is probably most easily recognized and that is production in terms of harvest. Meaning, the hunter in question regularly harvests his or her target species with consistency, reverence, and efficiency. There is no such thing as a perfect hunter. Hunting always requires some marginal failure no matter the experience level of the hunter themselves. However, as a hunter matures and gains experience one would expect the marginal failures to diminish or in some form become more marginal. The reason productivity related to harvest is important in evaluating the merit of the hunter is because without it we are deficient in the very resource we seek to utilize. If we were to choose between two hunters, who would be solely responsible for providing a source of protein, and we were presented Hunter A who regularly, though not perfectly, harvests the target species and Hunter B, who rarely or never harvests the target species we would all feel more comfortable and hopeful if the rifle, bow, or shotgun were in the hand of Hunter A. Why? It’s because we value production and the bounty it brings forth.

However, while production can be a useful tool in identifying an effective hunter it doesn’t provide a full enough picture to completely label the individual as a quality sportsman, at least not in my opinion. The second and more weighty means to identify quality in a hunter is desire. What is desire except that burning fire that consumes our thinking, shapes our daily life, and calls us to more of what captivates our hearts and minds? My definition of desire in the context of hunting looks something like this: the undeniable and persistent presence within our thoughts, the craving to not only learn and grow, but to do so in such a way that others are enchanted by our own sense longing, the pervasive flood of affection towards the deed itself. Quality sportsmen are both productive and affectionate in their hunting. They not only reap harvest, but they desire the whole process with vigor that illuminates the fullness it brings to life. I would argue that more affectionate hunters make for more effective/productive hunters. Hunting is a hobby to some, but more often it becomes a necessity to those who cannot be satisfied by infrequent encounters. Each outing proves how much more we need it in our souls. The more we discover the more we hunger. Affection drives growth.

How can we grow in something we do not wish to grow in? How can we expect our hearts to flourish if we find no longing for what brings the flourishing? I hope you can see the connection I am trying to make between hunting and faith. Too often, we view Christianity through a shallow scope of production, perhaps a better word would be action. The slippery slope of legalism waits to send believers to a pool of self loathing due to the indisputable fact that we will never be enough. We try to act our way to pure hearts. We vainly till within ourselves, hoping to produce righteous fruit. Our action alone will never be enough. Rightly placed affection is what distinguishes legalism from genuine faith. Affection for Christ affirms that, though we will never be enough, He is more than enough. Affection for Christ, longing for Him and His glory, is what positions our souls for rejuvenation that leads to right action.

Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep me commandments.” He did not say, “Keep my commandments that you will then love me.” Love comes first. We will never work our way into love for Christ. Love for Him and the indwelling Holy Spirit points our lives towards rightful action. Love for Christ, insists that He is our heart’s greatest desire or is at least becoming more so and that is a gift.

When truly affectionate towards Jesus, He is the undeniable and persistent presence within our thoughts. He becomes a neccesity. We are not satisfied with infrequent encounters. We need Him more and more. Craving to not only learn and grow in Christ, but do so in such a way that others are enchanted by our own sense of longing for Him is what it means to be a believer. There is so much more that could and should be said in this matter, but for now I will leave you with your own pondering as you think through the statement, “We become what we long for. We grow productive in what we are affectionate towards.”

If I long to become a quality sportsman then overtime I shall become such. If I long for Christ then overtime, I pray, I will become like Christ. The effects of our affections are this, our hearts are shaped by what they most intensely desire. I pray it will be Christ in my heart and yours.