A target is something we aim for, we focus on, a goal, a point of completion and finality. A target creates the opportunity for evaluating accuracy. In order to be accurate, I have to know what I’m aiming for, I need a target. To hit the mark, I have to define the mark. Once I know what I’m aiming for, I have to be able to execute the shot well.
As a bowhunter, I practice all year trying to perfect my archery form and posture to improve my ability to hit where I’m aiming. I want to know, not hope, that when I release an arrow towards an animal, it will go exactly where I want it to go. Mastering shot execution in high pressure situations is a real challenge. Most of us have experienced target panic or “buck fever” in some form, I know I have. It’s not easy to hit the mark in those situations, it takes a lot of discipline and hard work to overcome the pressure and anticipation of such a raw, intense moment. Daily dedication to quality archery posture and technique is the best way to improve your ability to hit where you’re aiming. There is no replacement for disciplined commitment to refining your posture and shot process.
As in archery, I believe there is a target I should be aiming my life towards. Regardless of whether or not we are aiming at the right target, the wrong target, or we think there is no target, our life will reach the end of the range and we will be evaluated for accuracy. Despite popular belief, we will all be judged by our ability to hit the same bullseye. If after we die we are to be welcomed into heaven by a perfectly holy and just God, we must live a perfect life, one completely devoid of sin. Interestingly, “sin” comes from an archery term that means “to miss the mark”!
The bad news is, no matter how hard you try, no matter how disciplined you are, it’s impossible for you to hit the bullseye. No human being is without sin because we’ve all given in to selfishness in some form. We’ve all sinned, all missed the mark, whether we think we are a good person or not, doesn’t change the fact that it’s impossible for us to live a perfect life. On our own, not one of us deserves to go to heaven, no matter how hard we try to make the perfect shot, we’ve already missed.
There has only been One to hit the bullseye, to make the perfect shot. He is the strongest and most disciplined man to ever live. His name? Jesus.
Jesus was fully man and fully God, and He lived a perfectly selfless life, not a single sin to be found. Because he lived the perfect life, He was able to pay the debt we owed for our sin. What are the wages (debt) of our sin? Death. Jesus took the proverbial bullet for us. He willingly endured brutal torture and death by crucifixion, to save you and me. We deserve what happened to Him. All he asks in return is to believe in Him, and receive His gift. The good news is, when we believe in Him and acknowledge we need Him to save us from death, then His arrow, in the dead center of the bullseye, is counted as ours. He made the shot, we get the credit, if only we believe.
So then the question is not what we should be aiming for in life, but rather Who we should be aiming for. The True Target never changes, there is only One. The simplicity is beautiful! When I shoot my bow, there are an infinite number of points in the surrounding environment I could select as my focus, as my aiming point. But, I select only one, very small, very specific point and I block out all the rest. I know what I am to focus on, and the rest of my surroundings don’t enter my consciousness. I’ve experienced intense tunnel vision when bowhunting. When I’ve decided an animal is one I’m going to take, my focus is laser-like, there are no other thoughts intruding into my mind other than my target. I’m not thinking about work, money, being hungry or thirsty, or anything other than hitting the perfect spot.
So it should be with pursuing Him, hunting for Him and His presence. He is the One, the True Target, and all I need to focus on. What a Blessed Narrowing. If I aim my life towards Him with proper soul posture, I will be living the life I was created to live, and everything on the peripheral will be as it should be. As CS Lewis said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you get neither.” Aiming for Him requires a humble soul posture. Humility is the opposite of pride. A prideful soul posture aims for earthly things and earthly recognition for earthly accomplishments. A humble soul posture is thankful for His accomplishment.
When I aim for Him, I am not consumed with the worries of this world, I’m consumed by His peace. I have set my mind on things above, gotten my head in the clouds, exactly where it belongs. Blessed simplicity, singularity of purpose, and the answer to all questions can be found in the One. Life is not complicated. Aim for Him, the rest will be thrown in.
