‘Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.’ Proverbs 4:25-27
I am passionate about archery and bow hunting and am dedicated to proficiency and accuracy. To be accurate with a bow is one of the hardest, most complicated… simplest things in the world. It’s difficult because it requires work, constant maintenance. One can not pick up his bow sporadically and reasonably expect to be an “X” man.
However, the equation to becoming an “X” man is extraordinarily simple. As an archer, this is the equation I use and, likewise, as an archery coach, it’s what I start every lesson with. “Master the fundamentals, so that you can forget about them.” That’s right… master, so that you CAN forget.
‘Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.’ 1 Timothy 4:15-16
All of the truly proficient archers I have ever known, have one critical thing in common. They are fundamentally sound. There are subtle idiosyncrasies in each of their shots, but foundationally they are the same. That soundness creates a fluid natural shot execution. From the moment they grab their bow, to the conclusion of their follow through, they are smooth, confident and natural. Why do you think that is? It’s simple, they have mastered the fundamentals. Consequently, they no longer have to think about what to do. Muscle memory takes over and carries them through the process. It’s ingrained.
I have come to believe that this simple mindset, applies just as appropriately to my walk with the Lord. If I want to grow as a christian man. If I want to accurately, intimately know and understand the Lord, hit the mark with more regularity, I must “master the fundamentals, so that I CAN forget about them.”
I am a deep admirer of Dr. Billy Graham. Once, in an interview, he was asked, “what has been the most important contributors to your success in ministry? To what do you attribute your ceaseless faith?” His answer, “constant prayer and conversation with my Lord and reading, knowing and internalizing His word.” What do you think… fundamentals? Dr. Billy Graham, a preacher to millions, a powerfully effective vessel of Jesus Christ because… he mastered the fundamentals. His mastery of these simple things, allowed him to forget about them. They became natural, ingrained, so he could confidently, proficiently and accurately do the work that God prepared for him.
I am working on this, as should you. Like accuracy in archery, it’s one of the hardest, most complicated… simplest things in the world. “Master the fundamentals, so that you CAN forget about them!” Have a blessed weekend My Friends!
‘Jesus *said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” ‘ Matthew 21:42-44
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy
