Life is filled with opportunities to reach a specific target or intention. However, many of us miss our objective of hitting the specified target because we fail to practice. Wikipedia defines target practice “as any exercise in which projectiles are fired at a specified target, usually to improve the aim of the person or persons firing the weapons.” For our illustration, your target is your expected end. I am going to use TARGET as an acronym to help us define several projectiles, and you are the weapon of choice. Only you can make your dreams become a reality. With that said, let us begin target practice! The following are the assigned values for the acronym target:
T.A.R.G.E.T.
• Tactics – We need strategic plans to overcome the enemies that block our forward momentum.. Seek out strategies and battle tactics as you pray and meditate. Never forget God is a man of war (Ex 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name). Ask Him for strategies and battle tactics to overcome fears, distractions, hinderances, and people who are sent as destiny blockers.
• Arrange – Put together your priorities so that you can hit your target. Saul got lost in his“stuff” (1Samuel 10:22). We often get sidetracked by insignificant “stuff”’ that attract our attention. Don’t let stuff sidetrack you
• Reconnect – Good target practice requires focus. Jesus said I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Php 3:14). When you find yourself off target, reconnect with your vision and focus on it!
• Gratitude – 1Thessolonians 5:18 states “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for what might seem a little thing. Be grateful that you have a desire begin to fulfill purpose because some have given up hope.
• Evaluate –Webster dictionary defines evaluate as: 1. to determine or fix the value of 2. to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study. Before you invest too much into a situation evaluate it. Is this the right goal and if so is this the right approach? Scripture teaches us to count our cost before we build. Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
• Trust – Swimming is a sport that requires trust. Alan Watts said “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.” Dreamer, it is time to trust the dream so relax, and float.
If you will trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, he will direct your path (Pr. 3:5). Why? He gives us dreams bigger than we can accomplish without him. Together with him, you will hit the target so… READY! AIM! FIRE! HIT YOUR TARGET.