I often marvel at the sight of old trees still standing tall in the woods. They have stood the test of time. In many cases, they were there long before us, and will likely still be standing long after we're gone. But have you ever stopped to notice the fallen remains of one of these strong warriors of the woods? It's almost depressing to see the end result of what once was so tall and mighty. The other day, while hunting with a friend, I'd stopped to try and locate some shut-mouthed elk in the timber. I leaned my bow against an old stump as I dug through the pocket on my backpack for my calls. As I stood there awaiting a response to the sound of my calls, my eyes were continually drawn to the old stump that was now supporting my bow. It was weathered, worn, and hollow. It was a mere fragment of what once stood strong in the midst of the forest, declaring God's glory. Once strong to its core, the tree was now weak and empty…hollow.
The thing that depresses me the most about such a sight is the fact that it represents so many of us. Countless men and women have fallen because at their very core, they were empty. I pray daily that I (and many others) can stand strong and mighty and weather the storms that come my way. And I know this comes only by being filled with the power and strength that comes from the spirit of God. We often try to fill the void in our life with so many other things. However, our relentless pursuit for bigger bulls and bucks, houses and trucks, will ultimately leave us empty to the core. Sure, they'll make us happy for a moment, but they fail to fill the void in our lives. Please hear me…if God is not the center of your life…you are hollow. You must be filled with Him. In Him you have hope. Without Him you are hollow.