#1 I should be preparing for my speaking session
#2 I can't hit a moving target
But, what did I have to lose? I needed to step out of my comfort zone and not be afraid.
After a gun safety session, I climbed into a van with other willing souls and headed out
to the skeet range.
We took turns loading two shells into a 20-gauge
shotgun. When my turn was up, I pushed the safety to the off position, and shouted,
Weapon’s Hot….PULL.
Weapon’s Hot….PULL.
I MISSED.
It took a few rounds for me to get the hang of the follow
through needed to hit the clay target as it soared through the air. Then as I
nestled the gun into my shoulder, aimed low and yelled, PULL, I
followed the clay pigeon across the sky and pulled the trigger. It shattered
into hundreds of orange shards as I looked on in amazement.
I did it! I hit the
moving target.
.jpg "taking aim with shotgun")
The clay disks exploded again and again. I was skeet shooting
and I was good at it!
What a way to start off a speaking engagement – stepping out of
my comfort zone!
This morning, I made a spiritual application to my skeet shooting adventure (of course you
did, says you). I love when the Lord uses everyday events to show me His Truth.
I woke up seeing the faces of the women who shared their needs with me this
past weekend. I saw each of them re-entering their daily routines this week after experiencing the touch of God on the burdens they carry.
Like shooting skeet, I need to follow through—lifting their
needs before the throne as God continues to work in their lives--using the weapon of Prayer.
As I bring each woman's need before the throne, I load two rounds
of ammunition into the breach:
Faith
and Assurance
Knowing that God will finish the work He began in them
during our retreat time together.
Like skeet shooting, my faith takes follow through as I walk
daily with Christ, pray for the needs of others and prepare for open doors of ministry. I need to battle my first inclination that says: I can't.
Saying YES—Stepping out in faith beyond my comfort zone to
do what God calls me to do requires two powerful pieces of ammunition:
Prayer
and God’s Word
And, when I use them, stand back because my weapon is
hot! I take aim and follow through, keeping my eyes on Jesus. He promises
that His words will hit their intended target every time. They’ll never return
void.
So like a skeet shooter, stand firm without fear and aim low—humbled before God. Then
follow through to connect with all that the Spirit is doing around you in the
lives of others. The weapon of the Spirit is hot with the power we need to
accomplish things we only can do in His strength.
Then watch the Mighty God hit His target every time because His
follow through is perfect.
Where might God be asking for your follow through today? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone?
Jeanne
Tweetables:
Like skeet shooting, my faith takes follow through
As I pray, I load two rounds of ammunition into the breach: Faith and Assurance
Micheal Youssef at Leading the Way shares his devotional called Mighty Warrior - a fitting benediction to the retreat messages I shared at the Monadnock Bible Conference last weekend.
Tweetables:
Like skeet shooting, my faith takes follow through
As I pray, I load two rounds of ammunition into the breach: Faith and Assurance
Micheal Youssef at Leading the Way shares his devotional called Mighty Warrior - a fitting benediction to the retreat messages I shared at the Monadnock Bible Conference last weekend.
Clay disk photo credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources via photopin cc
Wow - sounds like fun! Thanks for the gentle, powerful lesson, Jeanne!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Joy. Not sure if I would have ever thought about skeet shooting, yet it's often like the opportunities that arise. If the door opens, walk through.
ReplyDeleteI love this Jeanne! Its so incredibly appropriate to how God wants our prayer life to be; our life in the Spirit...hot, attentive to His voice, able to hit the mark every time.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, Jeannie. Well said! We are praying in the name and authority of Jesus. Name above every name; the One who sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
ReplyDeleteFollow through--and watch Him work
Oh my gosh, a skeet shooter, I love it !!! Of course, as only you can do, relating it to our prayer life, and right on target........A precious daughter, a precious gift, given by the King of Kings. Thank you Mom
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mom. I am getting braver in my old age. He is doing a new thing!
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought I could hit a clay target in flight. All things are possible with Him.
Jeanne, what fun!!! and what a gift He gave you! Your obedience in preparation and thru out the retreat weekend was rewarded, and your blessings continue still, as i KNOW will the blessings that the rest of the ladies received from you.
ReplyDeleteOn a less spiritual and more personal note, i've tried skeet shooting and hit NOTHING! Maybe i need a lesson from you. If i learn half as much as you've taught me about blogging, i'll be doing well! So glad you had a good retreat!
Thank you, Laurie. What a gift indeed! I'm learning so much about stepping beyond my ability and watching Him do amazing things.
ReplyDeleteI like the daily practical application to what should be a daily practical uncomplicated day. Skeet shooting vs "hitting" the target of God "inspired" ideas. I'll take skeet shooting any day. I don't have to wonder if I'm "hearing" from Him or "imagining" His whisper. That way I won't get "it" wrong. Whatever "it" is. So I appreciate the reminder to stand firm, aim low and follow through ... with loaded prayer! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTammy Sue, He hits the target every time :) Thank you, Lord!!
ReplyDeleteLove this post and its application! I spoke at a women's retreat where one of the extra activities was the high ropes. What fun! And, like you, I learned a two lessons from the experience:
ReplyDelete1) In order to do what I needed to do, I had to listen to my coach above all the noise of the ladies.
2) In order to do what I needed to do, I had to take action.
Just as in the high ropes, in order to accomplish what He would have me do in my Christian walk, I have to listen to the Father above the world's noise and I have to get up and take action.
Thanks for the reminder!
v
Thank you, Vonda for sharing your experience. Little lessons are in everything we do--we Need to listen for them. I love it when I "get it" and then can pass it on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for passing this on to us!
Jeanne, it took me forever to get around to reading this, but with a teaser like skeet shooting, how could I not read this? Such powerful experience for you and a perfect way to relate it back to our savior. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara! Glad the title hooked you--and I so appreciate you taking time to read it.
ReplyDeleteHis sweet voice whispers in every place. Even as the skeet whooshes by.
Blessings!!
I love that a women's conference offers the activity of skeet shooting. I would have signed up right away! However, I'm sure I would not hit a single skeet.
ReplyDeleteI love even more that our prayers are God's power to shatter the enemy's schemes.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts. Prayer indeed shatters the enemy's strongholds.
It was wonderful to see you last night at Lucinda Secrest McDowell's book launch.