Dec212025
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Missing the Bullseye No More.

In the ancient world, archery was very popular. They set up targets and bull’s-eyes to measure the accuracy of a shot. Let’s say you pull back on the bow. Just as you release the arrow, you have a hiccup. The arrow will probably leave the path leading to the bull’s-eye’s center. Once the arrow is in flight, the direction cannot be changed. It is on a predetermined path. This is how the Israelites understood sin. It is when you miss the mark or the bullseye due to a misstep or regret. Yet, once the arrow is in flight, it cannot change its direction.

            We recall when Peter was amazed by the catch of fish. As his boat was sinking with the number of fish it, Peter fell to his knees before his captain, Jesus, and told him, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” Peter was thinking like an Israelite. What Peter was saying was that his life was like an arrow in flight. His life was going in the wrong direction, and he could not change it once the arrow was in flight. Apparently, Peter did not read the Gospel, which explains why the Father sent the Son. “To save His people from their sins. With Christ, we can now reach the target.

During the production of the film Ben-Hur, the director told the lead actor, Charlton Heston, that he was planning to include a chariot race. The director said to the actor, “I want you to drive a chariot. I do not want you to have a stand-in the actor responded, “If you want me to basically stand on an apple cart powered by four horses around a track at full speed with other horses, then I will need some training.” After some time, the actor told the director, “I’m ready; I can drive a chariot. I am not sure if I can win, but I can drive a chariot.” The director responded, “You just stay in the race. I will make sure you win.” 

I like that story. It explains how Jesus saves us from our sins. So, Jesus tells Peter, “I understand that when the arrow is in flight, you cannot change its direction. But we can. I will tell you how we can do it. You follow me. If you do that, you will have the most productive life. I will get you to the bullseye.

In life, we have hiccups, missteps, and regrets. But that does not mean we cannot reach the target. We can if we follow Him. 

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