Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Mt. 6:20, NIV

The secret of hitting a moving target is to aim at where it will be, not at where it is at the moment. The knack of calculating the speed of the target, the distance, and even the force of the wind served the early settlers of our country well as they sought to feed their families on the abundant wild game in pioneer territory. Hunters like Daniel Boone, moving into the area of Kentucky, gave the technique the name of “Kentucky Windage.”
Annie Oakley, ‘Little Miss Sureshot,’ also started hunting to help support her family in southern Ohio. She used her prowess at hitting the target to thrill audiences at Buffalo Bill’s “Wild West Shows” by breaking glass balls tossed into the air.
Hitting the target today for most people means getting in the right lane in time so as not to miss the exit you want. Except in athletics.
The game of football pushes the technique to a whole new dimension. It seems rather strange to throw a ball at an area of the field where there are no players at the moment. The quarterback has to throw at where the receiver will be, hoping that a member of the opposing team will not be there as well. (Daniel and Annie seldom had to worry about someone trying to tackle them while they were aiming and firing.) Too high or low, too soon or too late - too bad! Incomplete pass or interception. Success comes with planning what everyone is supposed to do long before the game starts. And practice, practice, practice!
In short, whatever the endeavor, the important thing is to plan ahead. Keep your eye on the target, and don’t let anything distract you.
The Bible has much advice for those who would aim for heaven. Both John The Baptist and Jesus preached repentance. That means getting everything in order to ‘hit the target.’ No mere game with bragging rights! This is forever, for eternity. Heaven or Hell.
“Repent” means to turn toward God, and away from things that would make you ‘miss the mark.’ “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
It is a harsh saying, but Jesus’ advice to pluck out and throw away that which causes you to sin (Mt. 18:9 ) is not unlike a coach telling the quarterback to eliminate bad habits, focus, and keep with the game plan.
Paul used examples from athletics, especially in his letter to the Corinthians (1Co. 9:24-27) “Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
The successful Christian goes into “strict training.” Avoid sin in all things. Aim at where you want to be (heaven) and practice, practice, practice!
November 10, 2002

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Paul wrote, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phi. 3:20, NIV
They called her Little Miss Sure-shot. Annie Oakley was renowned all over the world for her marksmanship. Although she was famous for her remarkable performances in Wild West shows, she learned to shoot accurately to help support her family. She provided food for the table, and sold some of the birds she shot to hotels and restaurants.
She had the unique ability to not only hit a target every time, but also to hit a moving target - even if she was moving on horseback.
Some pioneer marksman were also noted for their skill at hitting a moving target. They called it “Kentucky Windage.” The technique requires the shooter to aim at where the target will be when the bullet gets there.
Not everyone has that ability, nor even the accuracy to hit a stationary target. The story is told of a boy who spent a lot of time shooting. Fence posts, barns, trees - all over the community there were targets drawn with a bullet hole in the dead center of them. One day a man complemented the “marksman” on his accuracy. “Aw, shucks, taint nuthin’,” replied the boy. “I just shoot first and draw the circles after.”
Some people are like that with their spiritual life. They “Just Do It,” and then claim that there is nothing wrong with what they have done. In truth, they have “missed the mark.”
Paul wrote to the Philippians concerning those whose “God is their stomach, and their glory is their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” (3:19, NIV).
Their ‘target’, their goal is pleasure now! They give no thought as to where they will be in the future.
We need to aim for heaven, just as Paul did, and just as he advised the church at Philippi. Earlier in this letter, he said, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (1:27)
The Greeks had a word for it - hubris.
It literally means, “missing the mark.” Someone guilty of hubris would show “wanton insolence or arrogance resulting from excessive pride or from passion.” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, 2nd ed.)
Pride in living an ‘earthly’ lifestyle certainly misses the mark as affirmed in the Bible by the prophets, the apostles, and by Jesus the Christ.
Keep your eyes upon Jesus, who even now is in heaven.
July 8, 2001