Original: October 16, 2007
McMinnville, OR
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer…Proverbs 30:25
I met Randy and Aubie in the Shoshone Winds restaurant in Prairie City, Oregon. My son Colton, Nathan Cutrell, and I were scouting for our Eastern Oregon hunt when I noticed two men and a son walk in dressed in full camo. Being archery elk season, and noticing their "Bow Tech" hats I decided to reject passivity and approach them. We had a great conversation, I gave them my business card and off we went.
Interestingly enough, two months later I saw Randy during rifle deer season in John Day as he was showing off his massive 4x5 trophy Mule Deer to a local. He proceeded to show off his "Brag Book" and recounted his successful hunts and viewed through his pictures, including the 6x6 bull and bear he killed that year. As he shared the story of getting these huge animals out of the hills I was extremely impressed at how a guy barely 5'5"(maybe) and maybe 140 pounds (soaking wet) could carry a 100 pound elk quarter 5 miles out of the wilderness. At almost double his weight, this would be quite the challenge for me!
Through Randy and others I have come to realize that even those that are small in stature, and naturally not as strong as others, can have enormous strength when combined with two elements we find in Proverbs 30:25.
First is desire. The strongest of men will cower under minimal pressure if the desire is not there. Desire is the game changer. Desire is the catalyst for success. Without it a man will fall victim to attrition. Without it, when the going gets tough the “tough” go home with their tail between their legs.
The strongest of faith becomes lukewarm over time if desire fades (Revelation 3:16).
I believe that desire, or passion, for Christ is the key to a man reaching his full potential in life. I have found that raw desire is the single most important element in the success of our faith, vocations, hobbies, and life. Randy's passions were set on hunting success no matter what it took, no excuses, no regrets.
Failure is not an option for Desire.
Second, true desire results in preparation. Passion unleashed is reckless and irresponsible without proper planning. A man must play out every possible contingency before he steps into the unknown.
To quote Clint Eastwood’s character Dirty Harry (Callahan) in the 1973 movie Magnum Force, “A Man’s got to know his limitations.” Knowing one’s limitations are critical in his preparations. The true test of desire is whether or not it prepares. Desire that fails to prepare is lust, not passion. Desire without preparation is like sex outside of the marriage commitment-selfish, reckless and immature at best.
I noticed that Randy had all the best gear to make the most of his lacking stature, was in amazing physical condition and knew the lay of the land better than the game he pursued. A weaker man, fully prepared and passionate is stronger than the strongest of men who is lazy and indifferent.
Then I wondered, “How is my desire (true desire) for Jesus, and what am I doing on earth to prepare for Heaven?”
