Bullseye

 

In my coaching analogies I often have relied on the image of archers and their goal of hitting the bullseye of their target. So many applicable references for hitting the bullseye, none more important than in life we are all working towards a goal, a purpose, the bullseye of our life. Specifically, in volleyball I talk about hitting the ball to a specific spot or person on the court rather than just stepping back to the service line and hitting the ball. We can all swing and hit the ball, the destination of the ball will vary dramatically, so having a laser focus on where we are hitting the ball makes for a purposeful action rather than a random motion that results in expending energy with no credible results. Hence the archer/bullseye analogy. But for today's purpose I'm not going to share as much about hitting the target, no today I'm more interested in the tension the archer has to exert on the bowstring to allow the arrow to accurately hit that elusive bullseye.

My background in archery is sparse at best, so I won't try to beguile you into thinking otherwise. Archery is a sport that combines athleticism, patience, a keen eye, and a commitment to perfection. Strong and steady are two descriptive words that come to mind when I think of an archer. The tension on the bowstring as the archer pulls back on the string requires the archer to keep the bow steady with no room for wiggles or wavering. Professional archers work with amounts of tension up to 70 lbs. of pressure as they fully engage the bowstring before it is released. That's seventy pounds of pressure being held back by one arm while steadying the bow with no shaking so that the target or bullseye can be hit with pinpoint accuracy regardless of the distance from the archer's location. The pressure on the bowstring is what allows the archer to hit his or her target. Could it be possible that the pressure we feel in our life from all the conflict, circumstances, and affliction is preparation for us so that we can hit our "bullseye" in the life we have each been given to live? 

I'm not saying that God creates the adversity in our life intentionally, but life is filled with adverse situations and it is our job to take that adversity and use it to make a better you and I out of the bad hand we feel we have been dealt. How much tension you can handle impacts how far back you can pull the bowstring of your impact on the world you live in. The old adage, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” aptly applies here. Just as the tension of the draw on the bow equals the distance and accuracy of the arrow, the more adverse situations you encounter and endure the better equipped you are to hit your purpose in God’s calling on your life. At times it most certainly feels like the string is about to snap, but an archer must stay the course and stay focused on the task at hand, the bullseye must be reached! 

God may not have you where He wants you to be, so He continues to stretch us to the point we may at times think we are about to snap. We are assured that He is with us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 . In other words, been there, done that! Your circumstances are different from mine, my adversity is in areas that have no comparison to yours. Things may be going smoothly right now, or your life may be in an upside down turned around mess. Regardless, it is safe to say that you have been through, are currently in, or are about to enter a time of stretching your life’s bowstring. Never forget that you are not alone. When you rely on His strength, when you conceptually realize that whatever it is you are going through is not as big as our God is, then you have just increased your durability and can then be stretched just a little bit more. Your bullseye is in your sights! “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13 

Coach Carter