Greetings all,
Have you ever watched an arrow in flight? Most of us, if only in our youth at summer camp, have launched arrows or observed others doing so. It is not as easy as it looks to get one to strike the target dead center. When it does happen, it’s awesome. An avid archer knows that consistent success is not dependent on blind luck or chance. There are specific steps that go into the deeply rewarding feeling of hitting the mark.
Having bow and arrow in hand is only the first and most obvious step. The next step is target acquisition. That means we identify our target and focus on it –- blocking out all other distractions as we draw the arrow back in the bow. Once we’ve acquired the target and drawn the arrow back in the bow, the next step in this split-second sequence takes place. The arrow is released. Release is achieved by snapping the three fingers forward that have held the string taut in the drawn bow. These steps are essential and easy to understand but, by themselves, won’t bring consistent success. If done improperly they will lead to frustration as an archer.
There is yet another step in this split-second sequence. It’s called follow through. Follow through actually involves a marriage of two of the previous steps: target acquisition (focus) and release. Predictably good results only come when we maintain a single-minded focus on the target, completely through the full release of the arrow. The slightest twitch at the point of release will send the arrow off course. And what is it that can involuntarily cause our fingers to twitch? You guessed it, a change of focus. If, for example, we began to look up before complete release, the brain automatically shoots an impulse to the fingers to compensate and thus the arrow will deviate from the direction you wanted it to go. But when we follow through with focus and release we can enjoy the reward of hitting the mark.
The physical/spiritual analogy is obvious, is it not? There are specific steps that come into play if we are to have that deeply rewarding feeling of hitting the mark in our spiritual lives, too. Having bow and arrow in hand is the equivalent of our going out in pursuit of the truth. Target acquisition is to focus on God’s truth as our target. Drawing the arrow back in the bow is symbolic of our intent to hit the mark – the truth. Release is symbolic of taking our best shot at living the truth we’ve come to know. We can do all these things, however, and be continually frustrated with our sloppy shooting, spiritually speaking.
Spiritual follow through is the evasive missing factor. Let’s put this into simple and relevant terms. We, at services or in our personal study, go out to pursue God’s truth. We hear the truth as it applies to us and even though it requires personal change or growth, we know it’s true and so we focus on it… determined to hit the mark. Then God tests us on this particular point. The test evokes an immediate response – instantly the arrow is in flight. Whether it veers off course leaving us frustrated and defeated or it hits the mark, filling us with peace and confidence in God, depends on whether or not we’ve followed through.
The Apostle James spoke of the same thing, only in different words. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:22-25)
Follow through is doing and not hearing only. And that can only happen when we are careful not to lose our focus on the truth that we have heard and understood. Focus for an archer demands something. It requires concentrated effort because it’s so easy in a fraction of a second, to divert one’s gaze. Focus in the spiritual realm for us personally is the same – it requires concentrated work. Only by pinpointed, diligent work can we keep our eye on God’s truth when suddenly we are tested in a weak area. The diligent work of follow through will not be accomplished by the spiritually flabby and lazy, however. It will be done by those who follow Christ’s example. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4)
May we each grow in the peace and confidence of God.
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Feast of Tabernacles 2017 Reminder:
Please remember that we, as a group, have minimum room requirements at both Feast sites if we are to get the meeting space on a complimentary basis. We understand that staying at the hotel where we have contractual obligations won’t work for everyone, but if you can help us out by booking in the designated hotels, it will certainly work to the Church’s advantage.
This past week there was a technical problem with the booking system of the Residence Inn in Oxnard. If anyone tried to book they were informed that no rooms were available. That problem has been resolved with the hotel and rooms are available. It is suggested that you make your bookings directly with the hotel.
Marshall Stiver
