Corona Devo 1240

You'll never guess what I tried the other night for the first time.

Here's a hint: it requires focus, precision, concentration, following directions, and it can involve life or death.

If you guessed archery...you would be correct.  You would also be correct if you assumed that I know nothing about archery but when invited to try, I said, "Yes", and (while not very good at it), I rather enjoyed it.  


I have thought about that impromptu archery session quite a bit since drawing the string on that bow, and I keep musing over the similarities that archery shares with living a life for the Lord and sharing Him with others.

Both require focus, precision, concentration, following directions, and can involve (spiritual) life or death.

There are so many distractions and temptations that life (and satan) throw at us...and it can be very hard to stay focused on following God, but we must keep our eyes fixed on him.  

Therefore...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (2) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  ~Hebrews 12:1-2

~~~

We must focus (with concentration) daily on God's Word and instruction, and share it with others.  Living for Christ and sharing His Truth with the next generation: that's our target.

These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe... (2) so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 

(3) Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.  

(4) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (5) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (6) These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (7) Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  ~Deuteronomy 6:1-7

~~~

Missing the archery target was easy (for me) to do.  My first arrow got buried in the grass and it took us a while to find it.  

It's easy to get buried in our will and ways as we live life.  But the Bible is clear and honest about the narrow gate that leads to Christ.  The "targets" of the word are seemingly easy to hit, but finding fulfillment and purpose in them is elusive and deceiving.  The road to Jesus and life in Him is narrow, but it's worth every step and every ounce of concentration that we are willing to give.  

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  ~Matthew 7:13-14

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  ~John 10:10

~~~

I never got a bullseye, but I did (at least) hit the target.  

Too often we errantly perceive God as expecting perfection from us, but that is not the case.  

God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him.  ~John 3:17

God's "sights" are set on us becoming more and more like Him.  Any progress in that growth is a bullseye in our faith-walk for today.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  ~Romans 12:12

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  ~Psalm 86:11

~~~

I'm not sure that I will be stringing a bow again anytime soon, but I did enjoy the excitement of giving it a shot (no pun intended).  

But any of us and all of us can set our sights on a target today: seeking and serving the Lord.  Here's a hint: it requires focus, precision, concentration, following (His) directions, and it can involve (spiritual) life or death for us and others.

And here's the best part: God has created us and crafted us to do just this:  

Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.  (2) 
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.  ~Isaiah 49:1-2

Blessings, 

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com




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