Not long ago, I was at an in-door rifle range. I pinned the paper target on the wire, pressed the on-button, watching the square target move further and further away. Ten yards, at twenty yards away I released the button and the square paper target stopped. I can still see the red and white circles narrowing in on the center bullseye.
“Good place to start.”
The pistol is loaded with the clip, I solidly plant my feet, square the shoulders, taking aim, slowly pulling back on the trigger and POW; the paper target was still. Missed. Took aim again, and the bullet forces the target to sway a bit. Again, and another movement of the target. Again, and it misses. Six shots fired.
“Let’s see the results.”
The wire brings the target in for me to see up close where the holes are, how close to the bullseye center. Try again buddy. Focus. Don’t let the mind, the eye wander to those watching.
The target is sent out again, and I take aim, slowly lowering the barrel, keeping my eyes focused along the sight, my index finger on the trigger ready to pull when the bullseye enters my sight. POW.
How many times in my life have I missed the bulls-eye? Can’t count them all. Times that I missed the target all-together. Uncountable times that I’ve come close, just slightly hitting the target, but, yet errored by not hitting the bullseye. I must focus. Focus, putting aside every other distraction. The ones in the next booth may be watching. I may have been watching them. Slow down, I tell myself. Focus on the target, letting nothing else interfere. the chore of keeping my eyes focused on the bullseye; nothing else.
Hebrews 12:2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith. . . Amplified version.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
Hymn by Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)
One Day at a Time 