Become a moving target
Years ago I was asked how come I never seem to have any real highs or lows in my life. Their question was in reference to my Christian lifestyle and outlook.
I asked what exactly they meant and they responded by saying I never seem to be really excitable or really down about anything. Obviously they never saw me eat a double cheese pizza: really excitable before and really down afterwards.
Anyways, they said that I was always on an even keel: not overly moved, always steady. I took that as a compliment and suddenly realized even more so how little we observe each other. My response was that it was hard for the Devil to hit a moving target. I said that I was always “moving.”
My questioner probed further by asking me what I meant by that. I said our enemy, the Devil, goes about like a roaring lion trying to destroy people, found in 1 Peter 5:8. He also sends fiery darts (flaming arrows) to inflict pain and harm, says Eph 6:16.
Think of target practice. Many times the object is stationary. You can take your time and aim. Even while hunting animals you wait until the prey stops before pulling the trigger.
Despite Hollywood flicks, it is almost impossible to hit a moving target. Don’t be confused with a quarterback and receiver since both are working together. Think more like dodge ball.
I rationalized that as long as I keep moving in the faith it will be much harder for the enemy to bring me down, or even to touch me.
Phil 3:13B-14A says “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize.”
Of course there is a time to stand and fight, but if the enemy can’t catch you, your chances of getting wounded are much less.
If you stay at one bad spot too long, things like bitterness, resentment and discontentment can build and you run risk of letting the wrong kind of root take place.
Hebrew 12;15 informs, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God, and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
A root takes time to grab hold, so don’t give it the time. We dwell too much on wrongs done to us,
1 Cor 13:5B reveals to us that “Love keeps no record of wrongs.”
Love doesn’t get stuck in the past. When you become stuck, you become a sitting target, which makes it easier for fiery darts to hit and cause damage. Moving on in Christ is forward momentum, you’re a moving target, much harder to hit, ask any marksman.
This moving on I’m talking about isn’t a physical thing, but spiritual. Any time you involve Christ in order to overcome or grow, you are moving. Love keeps you moving. Prayer keeps you moving. Faith keeps you moving. Forgiveness keeps you moving. Repentance and confession keep you moving.
Psalm 40:2A shows the person stuck, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire.”
How did this person get stuck to begin with? Gal 6:1 talks about someone being caught in a sin.They were stuck, trapped, entangled. How did that happen? No matter what, both were sitting ducks vulnerable to attack.
Paul says in 2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the Faith.”
There is always something or someone trying to tear or wear you down. Life sometimes takes cheap shots at you. It’s like a spiritual drive-by shooting. But those who keep growing, maturing, worshiping and loving are hard to hit. Don’t get burdened, stuck, trapped or bound up. Keep moving in the faith and become a moving target.
Please visit traceygardone.com for my past works.