Where Stillness Speaks: What Hunting Taught Me About Slowing Down

By Dr. Trent Lambert

I first began hunting with my grandpa. He taught me how to shoot, starting with hunting squirrels. What started as a fascination with the old guns in his barn quickly became one of my favorite hobbies. 

Hunting became my prayer closet. It was a way for me to step away from everything and meet with the Lord. Out in the quiet, surrounded by nature, I found stillness. It gave me space to gather my thoughts, pray, and simply be still before the God of peace.

As I got older, however, my priorities began to shift. Ministry became my focus as I stepped into the role of a pastor. Life got busy, and before I knew it, 10 to 15 years had passed without setting foot in the woods and slowing down.

A Hunting Trip That Changed Everything

One day, as I was working in my office, I received a call from Greg, a man from my church. He asked, “Pastor, would you go hunting with us?”

My immediate reaction was no. My schedule was full, and I could think of a dozen excuses not to go. I was preaching in a prison that weekend—surely that was more important than hunting.

But to my surprise, the words that came out of my mouth were completely different. “Sure, Greg. I’d love to go,” I said.

That Saturday, I joined Greg and a few others in southern Indiana on a cool winter morning. They dropped me off at a tree stand in the dark, and I sat there alone. As the sun rose and the deer began to move, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Tears streamed down my face as the Lord gently revealed just how unhealthy I had become spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. 

Through all my busyness in ministry, I had lost sight of its purpose. I was pouring myself out constantly in my role as a pastor, but I was neglecting the most important relationships in my life: my wife, my kids, and even my relationship with God at times. Slowing down that morning in the woods, God broke my heart and began to restore it.

In this way, hunting is so much more than a sport or hobby. It is a reminder of balance for my life. Psalm 37:4-5 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Hunting helps me delight in the Lord’s presence and creation. It has become my way of slowing down, listening, and reconnecting with God. I now make it a priority in my life to ensure I spend time with the God of peace in this way. 

Building Stronger Relationships

This shift in perspective changed how I approached every relationship in my life, especially my relationship with Jesus. But it also opened doors to build deeper connections with others. Three relationships stand out to me most:

1. Family:  Since my son was only four years old, we’ve been hunting together. It is a way for us to connect to creation, the Creator, and each other. Hunting is also a great way for me to decompress, slowing down to be more present with my wife and the rest of my family as I spend time with them.
2. Nonbelievers: I sometimes go hunting with a group of men, some of whom don’t yet know Christ. Outside of the church walls, I’ve found that they’re more open to hearing about faith when I’m just “Trent” and not “Pastor Trent.” Hunting gives me a way to share the Gospel naturally through friendship and shared experiences hunting.
3. Students: As a professor, hunting helps me connect with my students in meaningful ways. If you hunt, you know it’s like its own little community. I love when students tell me about their latest outing, show me pictures, or swap stories about the gear they use. Those simple connections often lead to deeper conversations about faith and life.

Slowing Down 

So here’s my encouragement to you: slow down, take a moment to breathe, go outside, and enjoy God’s creation. Find joy in the little things in life, from your key relationships to your small hometown diner. 

Hunting reminded me where my identity truly lies. It’s not in titles or responsibilities, but in Christ alone. I’m not defined by being a pastor, a professor, or a director. I’m just Trent—a follower of Jesus who is learning to live slowly, delight in the Lord, and walk in grace every day.

Dr. Trent Lambert is an alumnus of The Ohio State University, earning a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Church Administration in 1995. He earned a M.A. in Ministerial Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University and a M.Div. and D.Min at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Trent has 20+ years of experience teaching and writing Bible, ministry, and leadership-related courses, as well as advising and mentoring students at both undergraduate and seminary levels. Trent also has 20+ years of pastoring and planting churches on the West Coast and in the Midwest, in addition to 15+ years working in college administration. Currently, Trent is the Director of the Center for Thriving Leaders, the Proclamation Project, the Seminary Online Programs, and the Master of Arts in Ministry Studies for Grace College and Seminary.