Rifle vs. Shotgun

Over the years, a consistent topic that comes up with men is schedule, busyness, time management, balance, etc. The battle here is constant and exhausting. One of the most frustrating things for a man is to look at week after week, month after month, even year after year, and not see clear results, just obvious movement with lots of activity.

Let’s tackle this topic using guns as an analogy.

Our culture encourages the use of a “shotgun.” Scatter shot. Load up and shoot as far back as you can, as high and as wide as you can, so you increase the likelihood of hitting something, anything, somewhere. Just stand in one spot for as long as possible and keep firing in the same forward general direction. Then maybe, occasionally, you’ll put a BB into a target out there and feel good about your shooting.

Christianity encourages the use of a “sniper rifle” in all areas of life. Sit very still, listen, factor in the elements, zero in the scope, wait for the optimum moment, and squeeze. Intentionality, focus, and patience bring immediate and confirmed results. Then move on to the next target.

Throughout the Gospels, we never see Jesus huddle up the disciples and say, “Okay, guys, we’re going to pray and ask God to bless whatever we decide to do today, then when I say ‘amen’, take off in all directions and just go minister.” What we do see is Jesus getting clear instructions, then one day was spent healing, another teaching, another feeding 5,000, another casting out demons, another dealing with the Pharisees in the Temple. Even later when they were sent out two-by-two, there were specific instructions.

If you feel scattered, full of activity without productivity, frustration with no satisfaction, evaluate your life approach. Could be its time to trade in your “shotgun” for a “sniper rifle.” You’ll make a lot less noise but all your shots will count.

“Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do. —John 14:12-14 MSG