Zeroing In

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Before I would go to the rifle range for my annual qualifications, or combat rifle training prior to a maneuver or deployment, I would have to zero the sights on my rifle.

Zeroing, or sighting in, a rifle is the process of aligning the sights on the weapon with the rifle so you can accurately aim at your target from a set distance. You cannot adjust a bullet’s flight path by making changes to the rifle itself, you must instead adjust the sights until the reticle or sight tip is in line with the path of the projectile leaving the weapon. You can zero your rifle from different distances based on what type of shooting you intend to do. Once your rifle is zeroed, the sights will only be accurate at the exact distance you zero it for, but you can use that to help improve accuracy at any distance. Zeroing your rifle establishes an accuracy baseline that you can make further adjustments to based on the firing situation and environment as you fire in the future.

As our lives go through all sorts of changes, we too must stop to make sure our sights are zeroed in on Jesus, who is the founder and perfecter of our faith. For without setting our faith, that is our spiritual sights on Jesus, we are at great risk of missing the target every time we are tempted, distracted, or confused.

This missing the target is called sin. No matter how far you may journey, if you remain focused on Jesus, you are more apt to find life more bearable and successful. It is that pesky thing called free will that always seems to get us off track at times. It causes us to stop, reflect, and decide what our next step will be. Will it be to please God by faith, or choose a path of our own passions?

However, let it be known that sin is sin, and it will always make you miss the target.

If you are missing the target, (sinning), then one way to recover is to zero in on Jesus is by repenting your sins. This may and should be a daily thing we must do, as we are all prompt to sin each day.

So, take time today a fix your sights. Zero your life and fix the eyes of your faith on Jesus. Do that and you will always be on target, no matter what life throws at you or how far away Jesus may seem.