Lessons From The Firing Range

It's been a good day. I had my first go at archery. Here's the bow ... not just any bow, but a "recurve hunting bow, right Dave? And here's my first bull's eye. The remaining arrows are somewhere in the long grass ... so I'm a real man now - it's official :)

Sometimes it's good to do fun things for the sake of having fun. Today was fun, but I realise it reminded me of some key lessons too about being in Canada.

There's a lot going on, many "targets" I could be aiming at. I've said "yes" and "no" many times already. And at the moment, GOHOP (the prayer community) is growing to take on new challenges and decide what our "targets" are.

The Apostle Paul talks a bit about hitting targets, in different language.

"We will not boast beyond our boundaries,
but we will boast within the boundaries
of the assignment that God has handed us ..."
(2 Cor 10:13)

So what lessons might be gleaned from the archery shoot?

1. Get the "feel" of a good shot. When I do creative stuff that seems to connect people with God, I hit my "sweet spot" (like in church this morning when I had a chance to do some art stuff in the service). I was suddenly aware of God's pleasure as we were engaging in it.
2. Know your targets. When I hit the target, there's an "allriiight", but when I agree to do things which are off target, it drains my energy.
3. "Work the muscles that matter." Shoulder & back muscles are important in archery and mine were only conditioned enough to fire off 12 shots.

I've a growing sense my main target may well be something to do with proclaiming the Kingdom of God through the creative arts, both to the body of Christ (through worship, prayer etc) and also to the wider community.

Meditation & Prayer What are your (main) targets? What muscles do you need to exercise to get better at hitting your targets? What is the "feel" you get when you hit your targets? 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. 3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.” (Is 49:2-3). Lord, take all that I am; And hide me in the place of preparation. There, Lord, polish my roughness, straighten by crookedness, That when the moments of release come, I might fly straight to the target.

Comments

[Howard Jameson]

A piece of advice, mate. Don't stand on an archery range wearing that T-shirt. Beleive me, its asking for trouble.

Hope life good.

[Jo]

Glad to hear you're finding time for fun!