Last week my friends and I went to an Archery. As we had been discussing what to do, I told her I was ok if she chose, and I was ok if she chose something that was out of the norm for me. She chose archery and this is what happened.
As we all started together, we were being given instructions. Our instructor came down the line of about eight of us. One of the things he needed to confirm was which side was our dominant side. He quickly assessed everyone. He came in front of me with a somewhat puzzled look. He asked if I was left handed, I told him no. He asked me to do something and whether I could see him. Once again I told him no. He determined that while I was right handed but I was dominant on my left and fitted me with my bow.
My daughter was the smallest one there. He was willing to give her a wooden arrow but she insisted she was fine with the one that everyone was using.
He provided very detailed instructions on how to aim and fire then got out of the line of fire.
As we started aiming and shooting, I noticed I was having difficulty hitting the mark. Even at one point, almost hitting the mark on the target next to the one I had been aiming for. Something finally clicked and I realized more than half way through, that I’d been aiming for the wrong target. Once I started aiming for the one that I ‘accidentally’ hit the mark on, it became much easier to actually hit that target.
One of our friends noticed my daughter struggling with the heavier bow and went and told the instructor. He fitted her with the lighter bow, which looked way cooler than the original one anyway. She too started having better success of at least having her arrow hit the wall or near the target.
Somehow in me listening for the instructions and paying attention to the safety of my daughter and trying to enjoy our time, I forgot one key piece of information that the instructor had shared. He’d taught us how to look through a part of the bow, that we would be able to line up the target properly. (Insert face palm)
Here are my takeaways:
Are you just working hard without trying to hit the mark that you have been called to focus on? Proverbs 3:5-6 states ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.’
Is your burden too heavy for you to carry, so your efforts don’t seem to be going very far? How can you trade your heavy burdens for something lighter? Matthew 11:28-30 says ‘come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’.
Are you using the right perspective to see what you are called to do? Psalm 32:8 states ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.’
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you continue to show these practical examples through every day life. Father, may we be bold and listen to you and do the things you’ve called us to do.
Ps. Please pray for my neighbor and the family. I’m asking for a miracle that only God can do.
