Ready-Aim-Fire!!!

When I was a kid in school, we studied archery in P.E. There were mixed results for me, someone is already challenged in the sports area. Nevertheless, one thing I did take away from the archery lesson was the importance of “ready- aim- fire.” It doesn’t sound that revolutionary, does it? Yet, it so often gets missed. As does the spiritual lesson equivalent. And that comes into focus when we don’t know what to do next. We’re not hopeless; God has promised to guide us: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand, and whenever turn to the left.’” Isaiah 30:21 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 And part of that guidance is His wisdom: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5 Also known as Ready… From there we are to focus, or Aim… “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.” Psalm 37:5 And then we are to fire… “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Just because the weapons, be they wisdom, prayer or anything else, for that matter, are not seen by us, doesn’t mean they aren’t in existence. Just like this adorable cat here, we are empowered by God’s amazing weapons to deal with your life circumstances. We aren’t helpless or defenseless. God has given us the equipping we need. The question is, however, do we take it? We are instructed to put on the full armor of God: But again, do we? “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11-17 We all fall short; we’re imperfect. But each of us, on a daily basis, can strive to be mindful and practice the God-given help offered to us. Will we say yes or no to the opportunity? Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse