Something New

It was years ago and I was young and full of optimism for trying new things. I had pulled the long, narrow bag out from under the bed. I brushed the dust off and unzipped it. It was my husband’s old target bow. I’d never shot a real bow. I wanted to give it a try. How hard could it be anyway?

The shafts had no arrows and it was a good thing because I quickly realized that I didn’t know a thing about shooting an arrow. The first thing I noticed is that the bow wasn’t strung. I tried to do it but didn’t have enough strength.  And the arrowless shaft? I couldn’t hold it still! I tried to get it settled on the bowstring, but when I did it wobbled all over the place. I couldn’t keep it still. 

After doing the best I could with the shaft, I pulled hard on the bowstring. And I pulled harder still. But I couldn’t do it. I just didn’t have enough strength to draw the bow. I remember the disappointment. My arrow could not fly. 

My bow was not in the hands of a master archer.

The Bow

There are a lot of things to do to get a bow and arrow ready to use. First of all, you have to know the purpose of the bow. Are you going to hunt with it or use it for target shooting? For hunting, you need a heavier draw on the bow. Target archery doesn’t require as much pull.  

A master archer knows the purpose of his bow ahead of time. 

You need to get a bow that fits you. If the bow isn’t the right size for you, you will be “over bowed.” If you are over bowed, you are pulling a weight that is too heavy for you. A good archer takes the time to take the right measurements ahead of time so that the bow is not too big or too small. 

A master archer will have a bow that is the perfect size.

The Arrow

You have to choose the right arrows for your bow. If your arrows are too short, you will not be able to draw the bow fully. If your arrows are made from materials that are too weak, they could shatter and cause an injury. If the arrows are too long, you will carry extra weight which slows your shot down.

A master archer takes the time to choose the right type of arrow. 

An arrow has to have the right kind of fletchings. The fletchings steer the arrow during flight. For an arrow to fly through the air cleanly, the back end has to follow the front. The fletchings can keep both ends in the proper alignment and correct the path of the arrow when needed. The kind of fletchings you use will affect the accuracy of your arrow. 

A master archer sets the arrow up so that it will be accurate. 

The archer must be strong. He must be wise as well. The pull of the string stores potential energy. When the strings are pulled back further, the energy begins to stack. This pulling requires strength from the archer. The good archer is wise and knows the precise moment that the energy from the pull is at its greatest potential. This is when he will release the arrow.

A master archer releases the arrow when the energy behind it is at its greatest potential. 

A Saint’s Life

A saint’s life in the hands of God is like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. ~Osawald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (May 8th)

As we think of that bow and arrow, we have a perfect picture of the Christian life. 

God is the Master Archer and He created each one of us with specific purposes in mind. He gives us strengths and gifts so that we can achieve those purposes. He has created us “just right” for doing the things that He wants us to do. He has chosen us because He knows we are the right kind of arrow for hitting the target He has in mind.

But in getting there, we will most likely fly through some stormy weather.  We might be blown off course for awhile. There may be disappointments, questions, trials and suffering along the way. There is a lot of strain as the bow is stretched. We have to wait. 

But He’s chosen the things that will make us strong for the journey. He’s worked to make it so that we can fly straight. He even made it so that our flight can be corrected when needed. If we are obedient we will still get to the places He wants us to go. We’ll hit the mark. 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

In the Hands of the Master Archer

As the Master Archer pulls the bow and the tension grows, so does the power behind it. He holds us in His hands and when the time is right, we will be released to fly.

You see, God, our Master Archer, has eyes for seeing that particular target. He knows exactly what is in the bull’s eye. He knows what all is around it – what is closer in to the center and what is further out. God also knows what is not on that target at all. And He’ll help us avoid those things because His aim is so accurate. In this journey, we trust Him to get us to where we need to go. When we trust the process and wait the full amount of time, we’ll fly straight and land right where God wants us.

We believe in what He can do because we are in the hands of the Master Archer!

We believe in what He can do because we are in the hands of the Master Archer! Click To Tweet

This post may be linked in the following places. Click through to find more hope and encouragement!  Cheerleaders of Faith / Sitting Among Friends / Moments of Hope / Salt and Light / Heart Encouragement Thursday / Fresh Market Friday / Faith and Friends  / Grace and Truth