After a very rainy day in on the British Colombia side of the Canadian Rockies,
we decided to do something "dry". We headed back to Banff, where we were
staying, and began to explore some of the tourist traps. For some unknown
reason, these types of places seem to attract my family!
The first store was a big hit. My youngest son couldn't take his eyes off of the
bow and arrow sets. He had been longing for years to find just this very thing
at just this very price. But he faced a bit of a dilemma: should he buy the
regular bow or the crossbow?
The regular bow won out that day, and when we finally returned to camp to try it
out, he was the proud possessor of a wooden bow and four plastic-tipped arrows.
As soon as we parked the car, he began his target practice, and the arrows flew
in every direction. He didn't hit anyone, fortunately, but the wildlife in the
campsite quickly disappeared!
As I watched him through the window of the tent trailer, I couldn't help but
notice that his arrows often didn't reach their intended mark. I became a bit
obsessed with knowing why they usually fell short, and soon I found myself
outside trying his bow. I tried several different angles, even hitting my toe
once-this was a mistake, of course!-and what I learned was that I needed to aim
my bow much higher than the specified target. This allowed the arrow to arch
upwards, and then as it came back down, to (hopefully!) Hit its mark.
As I later pondered this idea, it occurred to me that as a Christian, I also
need to aim high. In my endeavors to follow Jesus, I so often aim too low. In
fact, all my heart breaking experiences can always be traced back to aiming too
low and to not depending on the One Who can help me aim high. How slow I am to
learn! Only when aiming high, by keeping my eyes fixed upon Jesus, can I be
victorious!
Jesus visit 2000 years ago was to teach us this. "Take heart! I have overcome
the world." (John 16:33 NIV); "Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he
made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Col 2:15
NIV); and "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matt
28:18 NIV)
The devil and his minions have been defeated by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
Our enemy is a defeated foe! The only way he can have us in his power is through
deception, and it is only if we let him deceive us that he can control us. And
believe me, he has not an inkling of good intentions on our behalf!
Victory is only ours by aiming high and concentrating on Jesus. "Everyone born
of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world,
even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that
Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:4-5 NIV); "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not
grow weary and lose heart." (Heb 12:2-3 NIV)
Too many believers lead a life of defeat. They don't realize the power that they
have at their disposal if they only trust in the One who can give them victory:
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you
may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in
Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every
title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to
come." (Eph 1:18-21 NIV).
This is the Christmas message Jesus wants us to remember. There is hope for
those in despair. Victory is at our reach. How high are we aiming?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.