Zeroed in on the Kingdom

I'm in preparation for a hunting trip to New Mexico. These are exciting days! The trip will present many firsts for me: stalking mule deer, encountering the high altitude, and possible long range shooting. Be sure of this: the gun will be ready.

The fact of the matter is that there are plenty of variables that I cannot control. Most hunters understand at least these two things: We cannot control the weather & We cannot control how the deer move. What I can control: Making sure the gun is zeroed.

This is one of the most important aspects of hunting. Interestingly enough, it's the one are that a lot of hunters neglect. Almost there may work for 50-100 yard shots but if you have to "reach out and touch something", you have to ensure that the gun will be true. I have been reading up on the ballistics, trying to understand the bullet drop at different yards, and I have been shooting the gun. Knowing that the gun is zeroed in at a particular distance gives me an anchor point for everything else.

Being zeroed in is crucial to ensuring that the gun is accurate. This same philosophy is true in our lives. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must have our lives zeroed in on the kingdom of God. We make Him the center of everything. He becomes the mark (if you will). If you want to live victoriously in the Christian life, you have to know your anchor point.

Scripture teaches us this very thing:
Philippians 3:14 - Paul tells us that he pressed toward the mark of the upward call of Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2 - Teaches us to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Matthew 6:33 - Exhorts us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

All of these verses show us the importance of being completely focused in life. The Kingdom of God becomes the mark of our lives. We press toward it, we keep our focus in it, and we seek after it. Everything else is secondary. There may be times when certain aspects of my life seem very far away. But if I'm zeroed in on the kingdom, I can make adjustments. It doesn't matter which way the wind blows - I can adjust - because I'm zeroed in. Get the picture?

Take some time every morning to tell the Lord that you will keep His kingdom in focus throughout the day. Don't wait until your in the midst of a mess to try and focus. In the middle of the hunt is a horrible time to find out that your sights are off. Be prepared for every situation by keeping your eyes on Jesus.

Got your mark?