Last weekend at the Men’s Retreat in Yamhill, we had several accuracy competitions for everyone to participate in, including .22 rifle shooting, archery, and axe throwing. A helpful phrase for events that require accuracy, whether it is darts, archery, or even
bowling, is: “Aim small, miss small.” This principle is key to success.
It may seem oversimplified to suggest that one simply needs to narrow their focus toward the target, but it is crucial for hitting what you aim for. The smaller the target you aim for, the more likely you are to hit it. For example, if someone is trying to hit the broadside of a barn, they wouldn’t need to adjust their focus much.
However, if they are aiming for the center of a bullseye, narrowing their focus increases their chances of hitting the target. This principle can also be applied to our Christian lives. Many people make the mistake of saying things like, “I just try to be a good person.” While this is a noble goal, it raises the question: what does it really mean to be “good”? The term can have various meanings. “Good” may describe a person’s health or could refer to their character, such as being a ‘good’ pet owner. For some, it could mean being ethically agreeable, kind, or achieving a moral high point.
Throughout the New Testament, we are instructed to narrow our focus. Our standard is not a broad definition; instead, it is a specific example. We have the example of Paul, who states, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Our focus should not be on our own efforts; instead, our target is much more precise than simply being a good person. In 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 it says: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
If our goal is to please God, we will naturally align with the target of being good. However, we will never reach that target if we don’t concentrate on pleasing God. Paul emphasizes that our standard of goodness is not subjective; it is based on the standards established
by Christ. This makes Paul’s directive to imitate Christ even more important. When we understand that the goal of life is defined not by our measurements but by following Christ, we realize that the most important thing we can do is to live according to His
specifications. Therefore, in everything we do, we should aim to please Him. In doing so, we “aim small, miss small.”