Like many of us, I have shot archery since childhood. I could say I am a decent shot. I know for sure, the more often I shoot, the better I shoot. But, in terms of basic numbers, when considering the fact that I have been shooting for almost 40 years, and have likely shot thousands of arrows in that time, one would think I should be able to fling an arrow and make it hit the exact spot I want it to. With that much shooting and practice, I should be able to hit my mark every time I let one go!! That’s the intent of archery isn’t it? And, as bowhunters, we owe it to the game we pursue to practice as much as we can so we can hit that perfect spot on that animal, and make as quick and humane a harvest as possible. But, we know that just does not happen every time does it? Even though we shoot, and shoot, and shoot, sometimes that arrow just does not go where we want it to. We miss the mark.
I have been a Christian for about as long as I have been shooting archery. And, I have probably been to more bible studies, worship services, revival meetings, and Sunday school classes over the years than arrows I have shot. I was going to those gatherings before I was officially a Christian. So, one would think that I would be able to quote every scripture I wanted from the Bible. I should be a person who never says a bad word, who is always happy and kind, and who never does a thing contrary to the teachings of our Lord. But, for one who has been a Christian for 35 years, sometimes I still miss the mark.
You know what that is called when we miss the mark? SIN! The Bible has as much to say about sin as it does about any other topic. So, God knew that sin was going to be a problem for us.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Roman 3:23. I get comfort from that word “all”. I know I’m not alone at missing the mark. No matter how good I “shoot” in life, sometimes I’m going to mess up and “miss the mark”. But, His Word also tells us, “…..God demonstrates His love for us, that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us” Romans 5:8.
In hunting, when we miss our mark, we may end up without a trophy, or even worse, a wounded animal. In life, our sins wound us, and separate us from being as close to God as we can be. But, Praise be to God for the fact that Jesus offered himself up to be the ULTIMATE sacrifice for our sins, so that we do not ultimately have to be separated from Him. “For I am convinced, that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39.
So, just like we keep shooting, and practicing, and hunting with archery, even though we don’t always hit the mark, we must keep shooting, and practicing, and hunting, in our Christian walk too. We have to “shoot” God’s Good News word out there. We have to “practice” by showing and speaking His love to a dark world that so desperately needs it. We keep “practicing” by gathering to be taught, to worship, and to pray. And, “hunt” those who need to know that saving grace in their life. Even if we may “miss the mark”, God never does.
I have been a Christian for about as long as I have been shooting archery. And, I have probably been to more bible studies, worship services, revival meetings, and Sunday school classes over the years than arrows I have shot. I was going to those gatherings before I was officially a Christian. So, one would think that I would be able to quote every scripture I wanted from the Bible. I should be a person who never says a bad word, who is always happy and kind, and who never does a thing contrary to the teachings of our Lord. But, for one who has been a Christian for 35 years, sometimes I still miss the mark.
You know what that is called when we miss the mark? SIN! The Bible has as much to say about sin as it does about any other topic. So, God knew that sin was going to be a problem for us.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Roman 3:23. I get comfort from that word “all”. I know I’m not alone at missing the mark. No matter how good I “shoot” in life, sometimes I’m going to mess up and “miss the mark”. But, His Word also tells us, “…..God demonstrates His love for us, that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us” Romans 5:8.
In hunting, when we miss our mark, we may end up without a trophy, or even worse, a wounded animal. In life, our sins wound us, and separate us from being as close to God as we can be. But, Praise be to God for the fact that Jesus offered himself up to be the ULTIMATE sacrifice for our sins, so that we do not ultimately have to be separated from Him. “For I am convinced, that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39.
So, just like we keep shooting, and practicing, and hunting with archery, even though we don’t always hit the mark, we must keep shooting, and practicing, and hunting, in our Christian walk too. We have to “shoot” God’s Good News word out there. We have to “practice” by showing and speaking His love to a dark world that so desperately needs it. We keep “practicing” by gathering to be taught, to worship, and to pray. And, “hunt” those who need to know that saving grace in their life. Even if we may “miss the mark”, God never does.
RSS Feed
