Noise & Distractions: A Decision for 2021 (01.02.2021)

Checklists, expectations, packed schedules, sporting events, television, social media, smart phones, instant gratification on an extreme level, supreme materialism and over-abundance beyond measure…we all are constantly inundated with noise and distractions in the twenty-first century more than ever before. That same noise and distractions that we allow to define our identity, consume our lives, and what we use as a barometer to determine a successful life by the world’s standards. Spinning as many plates simultaneously as you possibly can is recognized as a badge of honor, the motivation of the chase. There is just one problem with all of this…it will never satisfy the desire, it will never fulfill your innermost longings, you’ll always seek more of it because it’s not what you were created for. Simply put, you were born with a higher purpose, a much higher purpose that you can only yield when you journey down a road that is in complete contrary to the road the world deceives and entices you into following. This road is to be approached with self-sacrificial humbleness, quietude, rest, listening, communing, and responding.

The air temperature on January 2, 2021 was in the low twenties while the Driftless valleys were overcome by a dense fog; it was truly a beautiful scene and one that prompted you to rest in awe of the beautiful and unbelievably unique region we live within. The weapon of choice was a nymph rig set up either European style or with a small indicator. Within the first few casts, I quickly connected with an energetic wild brown trout, the first of many to come on this January day. The wild brown trout in this supremely pristine, pure, and full of life spring creek are astounding to simply admire and appreciate the handiwork God chose to display on these creatures. Fly fishing is so much more than numbers caught and tape

We continued to fish upstream while covering some incredible runs and pools. We started seeing several midges hatch and crawl along the snow; the usual suspect noticed during the winter months. Along the way our eyes also captured turkey tracks, deer tracks, muskrats, hawks, sculpins, and the always remarkable bald eagle soaring with all its strength and beauty. The sheer complexity and diversity found in just a simple outing in nature, especially the Driftless spring creek ecosystems, itself leaves one in complete knowing and understanding of the mind it took to create. The evidences of the Intelligent Designer is around us every single day as we gaze and admire nature (see Romans 1:20). It prompts within you only one proper response and that is a response of worship, praise, adoration, and appreciation of just how supremely big our God, the uncreated Creator, truly is.

As we look ahead at Spirit Streams, expect more. Expect more thoughts, more adventures, more pictures, and deeper dives into various subjects; the subjects that really matter in life, the subjects that the world needs to hear in the midst of more

noise and more distraction than we have ever seen before. In other words, expect us to share God more as He reveals Himself to us more. You see He’s infinite in all His ways; there is always more to learn, more to discover, and a deeper level of relationship to enter into. He’s given you a free will to make the choice to enter into it…what’s your choice for 2021?