Hitting Life’s Target
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
I was trying to reinvent myself long before self-help books made it popular. As many of you know, I went to twelve schools between kindergarten and tenth grade. Even in elementary school, as we were getting ready to move to the next place, I would evaluate the year, who I was, and what I wanted to improve the next time. For example, one year, I decided I wanted to be more intelligent, so I focused on my studies. Another year I wanted to be more popular, which wasn’t easy when you were always the new kid, so I emphasized sports. There was always something I thought I could improve.
My memories resonated with the title of Michael Thompson’s article, “Stop Trying to Reinvent Yourself and Get to Know Yourself Instead.” If you want to make a positive change in your life, it takes more than deciding to play football or studying an extra half hour per night. Playing a sport or increasing my grades are temporary decisions, and making lasting change comes from transforming how we view ourselves and our values.
I love the last sentence in Thompson’s article, “It’s not a coincidence arrows travel faster the more you pull back.” Pull back and look at the trajectory of your life. Focus on your past actions, seeking to review your decisions with honesty. Next, envision the direction of the arrow moving forward. Will the arrow hit the mark or move off course? Envision the next stage of your life and what you desire. Then, pull back far enough to recognize the steps to fulfill your hopes and dreams.
Today, pray for God to help you pull back the bow. Pulling back the bow requires strength. Seek the divine power necessary to focus on moving in the direction you and God find meaningful. Then, as you are pulling back the bow, determine the target. What is the goal you want to reach? The target cannot only be your decision. Seek God’s direction as you chart a course for your arrow. When you hit a target agreed upon by you and God, your life will be even more blessed.
