OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Life-Altering Moments

By Gary Miller

As adults, we all can look back on our lives and find people or moments that will forever be etched into our memories. Some of them will not only forever be remembered, but they are the ones that changed the trajectory of our lives. It may be the death of a loved one, an illness, or a tragedy, but these periods moved us to places we would have never otherwise gone. Thankfully some of these events were good as well.

For instance, I can remember my first time fishing at the lake and my first time sitting in a tree stand waiting on a deer. Both became part of the foundation of these articles that I have written for 24 years and the ministry they birthed. But the real life-changing event came without excitement. In fact, without one small gesture, it would have been quickly forgotten. It didn’t come from anything that was special or anyone that was famous. But it is the one thing that changed my life forever. And it is the one thing I continue to go back to, to offer to others who may need that same life change as I did.

It happened one evening as I was preparing to speak at a wild game dinner, 18 years ago, this month. The event was small and held outdoors. About an hour before that event, two men drove up in an older van. I remember a couple of things about their arrival.

First, as I noticed the interior of the van, it looked like they were living out of it. I don’t think they were, but it looked like it. And secondly, as I noticed the appearance of these two guys, it looked like they were living out of the van. Lol. There was nothing special about our encounter. But for some reason I noticed their kindness. After a few introductions, they handed me a thin paperback book and invited me to read it. I thanked them, tossed the book in my truck, and went on with my business. I don’t know how long after that, that I decided to pick up that book, but when I began to read, I couldn’t put it down. It changed my life because it showed me that God had already freed me from the responsibility of trying to live the Christian life in my own strength. It explained how Paul came to the end of his efforts to keep the law so that he could simply trust Christ to live His life through him. In essence, it broke the grip that legalism had on me and showed me what grace really was, and how it was not only responsible for my salvation, but also for any spiritual growth I will ever experience. My job was not to produce the life of Christ. My job was simply to bring myself to the Source.

Since that time, I have shared that message across the country, looking for others like me who have grown tired of their inability to live the Christian life by their own efforts. Looking for others who need someone to fire them from the job they were never qualified to do.  So, happy anniversary to me! Eighteen years ago, two ordinary men handed me a little book, and God used it to change everything. “It’s for freedom, that Christ has set you free.” ~Paul

Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 23 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Stay updated on Outdoor Truths each week by subscribing at Outdoortruths.org. Miller can be reached via email at gary@outdoortruths.org.