Like ArrowsSample

Your Target

The mounted archer was one of the most feared warriors on the ancient battlefield, dominating with a combined mastery of riding and shooting. It is perhaps the most difficult form of archery there is. The world is flying by in a blur. You must control your horse, compensate for being jostled in your saddle, and hit a target, which may itself be moving.

If you are a parent, you can probably relate. The pace of life is fast, and distractions are everywhere. Many of us are holding onto the reins with all we have, just trying not to fall. Yet somehow, we must also successfully launch our children at the right target.

This is not easy.

To be successful, we must master two different skills. Before a mounted archer can ever consider successfully launching an arrow at a target, he or she must first learn to control the direction and speed of their horse.

In life, this might mean saying no to certain activities to slow the pace. It might mean practicing certain spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, or meditation to gain more self-control. If your own life is running out of control, it will be hard to be the parent that your child needs.  

The second skill is shooting the arrow, even while life is going full speed ahead. Being able to find and focus on the target is crucial. But what is the target that we should launch our children toward? Do we work to launch them toward a good education, financial success, moral behavior, or some combination of all three? There are so many contradictory messages that it can be hard to know where to focus.  

Dennis Rainey, co-founder of FamilyLife says, “Your most important job as a parent is to pass on a living faith—from parent to child.” While education, success, and morality are good things, they are not the most important. Your child’s relationship with God is the most important thing. It is the only thing that is eternal.  

But, prioritizing God isn’t always easy. What if your child had to choose between studying God’s Word or for the math test tomorrow? Would you be okay with a lower test score if it meant a deeper love for God? What if the choice were between a high-paying job and a ministry opportunity?

Our choices may not always be so drastic, but knowing which target we are ultimately aiming for can make decisions like these easier.

Pray: Father, help me to better control the pace of my life so that I can keep my focus clearly on You and pass on a living faith to my child.  

For more help read, “Bringing Back the Sabbath” on FamilyLife.com.

*This reading plan was inspired by the principles highlighted in FamilyLife’s Art of Parenting.