
When I was in 6th grade I entered my first, and last, archery competition. I was attending a church camp and each camper was allowed to enter one competition. Basketball. Volleyball. Horseshoes. Archery. BB gun.
Why in the world I chose archery, I have no idea.
But, I did, and it proved to be a very *very* important lesson that would stick with me for the rest of my life.
The day before the competition, I had a friend explain the basics of how to aim and hit the bullseye. Whatever that person taught me must have worked because I ended up securing the first place trophy *let’s hear a cheer for church camp archery winners.*
The lesson that I learned during that competition is far more valuable than my camp trophy.
I learned that in order to hit my mark, I needed to focus intently on the bullseye. I needed to fix my eyes on the very center of the bullseye and focus, aim, and shoot my arrow in that direction.
If I took my eyes off the bullseye, got distracted, didn’t focus or just messed around, I wouldn’t have hit my mark. But, because I focused so intently on where I wanted my arrow to go, I was able to hit the mark.
Life Works the Same Way
As I grew older and reflected on that competition, I realized a very important truth. If I (as a Christian girl) wanted to grow up into a God-honoring, Christ-centered, eternally-minded woman, I needed to focus intently on the bullseye.
You see, God has given each and every one of the us the same bullseye. The Bible is our guide, light and target. It shows us exactly how God wants us to live and what our life goals should be.
Let’s imagine that the bullseye is the Bible and we are the archer. If we take our eyes off of the bullseye, we won’t hit the mark. We won’t know where God wants us to aim our arrows and we won’t know how He wants us to live.
My prayer is that each one of you will dig deep into God’s Word and study it in depth. God has clearly laid out His desires for you and your life in His word. Don’t flounder through life without knowing where you are going and what you are living for.
5 Books to Help You Understand the Bullseye Better
I want to share with you 5 books that have helped me tremendously in understanding God’s bullseye for my life. Each of these books have taken Biblical principles and broken them down into a simple and practical way. These books have helped me get my eyes on God’s bullseye and how I should live. In a nutshell, these books have helped to radically change my life.
I can’t recommend these books enough.
If you take the time to read and study them, I guarantee they will change your life and help you focus on God’s bullseye. I also want to give away one copy of Surrender: The Heart God Controls to one of you sweet girls.
To enter the giveaway competition simply leave a comment below with your answer to this question: “What do you believe should be the bullseye for your life?”
5 Books That Will Radically Change Your Life
This book is the bomb.com. Seriously, it’s amazing. If you struggle to have a good, powerful, life changing devotional time, this book is for you. It breaks down the meaning of personal devotions and explains why they are so important. It also gives tons of practical advice on how to have a solid devotional time.
I love how Nancy explains it in the book. She says, “The most important purpose of a daily devotional life is not so that we can check another task off our ‘to do’ list, but rather, that we might experience intimate union and communion with God.”
Amen!
2. Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone (Elyse Fitzpatrick)
I had no idea just how flakey and self consumed my heart was until I read this book. It radically changed my perspective on…everything. It helped me view life from a Biblical lens instead of a Bethany lens. Please do yourself a massive favor and read this book.
“Idols aren’t just stone statues. No, idols are the thoughts, desires, longings, and expectations that we worship in place of the true God. Idols cause us to ignore the true God in search of what we think we need.” -Elyse Fitzpatrick
Yep, it’s a must read book!
3. Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy (Nancy Leigh Demoss)
Imagine trying to live life with blinders on. Yeah, not a good idea. When I read Choosing Gratitude, I honestly felt like my eyes were opened and I finally understood how to view life from a Godward perspective. I finally understood what true joy looked like and my life became filled with hope. I learned how to appreciate God’s goodness in every area of my life.
“I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship! And I can’t worship without giving thanks. It just isn’t possible. When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.” -Nancy Leigh Demoss
4. Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing (CJ Mahaney)
The gospel should be the most important thing in any and every Christian’s life. Without Jesus sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we would all be doomed. We would be hopeless, pointless, lost and without purpose. Life would have no meaning and we would have literally no hope.
“If there’s anything in life that we should be passionate about, it’s the gospel. And I don’t mean passionate only about sharing it with others. I mean passionate in thinking about it, dwelling on it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world. Only one thing can be of first importance to each of us. And only the gospel ought to be.” -CJ Mahaney
5. Surrender: The Heart God Controls (Nancy Leigh Demoss)
Giving God full control of my life and heart is something I daily struggle with. My “self” constantly wants to take control and live the way it wants to live. Surrender showed me not only the value of having a heart controlled by God, but the absolute necessity of it. This book is where I read a quote from a missionary and quote has become my life’s prayer.
“Lord, I give up my own plans and purposes, all my own desires, hopes and ambitions, and I accept Thy will for my life. I give up myself, my life, my all, utterly to Thee, to be Thine Forever. I hand over to Thy keeping all of my friendships; all the people whom I love are to take second place in my heart. Fill me now and seal me with Thy Spirit. Work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, for to me to live is Christ. Amen.” -Betty Scott Stam (Missionary to China)
That’s a Wrap
I could go on and on about those books, but I’ll leave it at that. Try to read at least some of these books and prepare to aim your life at God’s bullseye like you’ve never done before.
Oh, and don’t forgot to leave your comment below for your chance to win a copy of Surrender. “What do you believe should be the bullseye for your life?” Go!
P.S. We will announce the winner Monday.