“Did you hear it; seemed like it was coming from the other side of the river?” “Let’s paddle across. We’ll check to see if there is a meadow close by.” Shortly, we anchored the boat in the soft mud, then slowly worked our way up the steep bank. The grass, which was over three feet tall, made it hard to find sure footing. In addition to that, traction was a reduced by the dampness of the early morning dew. Quietly working through a narrow stand of birch trees, we arrived at a meadows edge. Fog, which was still slowly dissipating, made visibility a little challenging. Then we heard it again, the unmistakable sound of a bull moose in rut.

Slowly, and with little noise, we started to move in the direction of the bull. Making our way through the edge of the timber we periodically made a grunt call, hoping to bring the moose closer to us. As we stood behind a low cover of willows, our eyes scanning sections of the meadow, the bull suddenly stepped into the clearing. Shifting slightly, my grandson took careful aim at the bull. With the crack of the rifle, the bull shuddered, and then fell to the ground. Adrenaline still rushing through our body, we approached the animal. Though a great deal of work lay before us, we were grateful to have the supply of meat for the upcoming winter.

Memories such as this had been made and shared numerous times from years past. There were seasons of struggle and disappointment, but also times of excitement and success. As the seasons once again changed from summer to fall, the yearly ritual was about to begin anew. Each September it was more than just a ritual of hunting. It was a means of survival, of putting meat on the table. In a similar manner many of us have our own rituals passed down from generation to generation, each with special significance. Rituals, which may deal with another activity other than hunting, but rituals just the same.

Rituals are common in every culture throughout history. Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, records rituals which were observed by men. However, it is essential to understand that also throughout history God places far greater emphasis on our relationship with Him than on mere religious rituals.

Looking back at the time of Adam and Eve in the garden, Scripture records that it was God, walking in the cool of the day, who called out to them (Gen. 3:8). During the time of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, it was God who revealed himself to Moses (Ex. 33:18-23). After Moses, God reassured Joshua that He would be with him; therefore, Joshua should be strong and courageous (Josh. 1:5-9). In each of these Old Testament accounts, God demonstrates the importance He places on the relationship individuals have with Him.

In the New Testament, we find Christ reminding mankind of the vital importance of a personal relationship with God. It was Christ who sought out the disciples to begin a ministry with them, not the other way around (Matt. 4:18-22). Jesus was willing to go to the home of a Jewish ruler, whose daughter had died, and subsequently raise her from the dead (Matt. 9:19-26). When it came to the cross, it was Christ who willingly walked up the hill of Golgotha. He would sacrifice his life so that those who believe in Him could have eternal life. It is this act of sacrifice that provides the means for us to shift from religious rituals to a personal relationship with the Lord. Just as the temple curtain was torn in two giving access to the inner sanctuary, we now have direct access to a relationship with God through Christ (Matt. 27:50-51). This relationship which is founded upon God’s unconditional love and is greater than any earthly relationship. Do you have that personal relationship with God through Christ?