“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:2 NKJV

Have you ever found out that you’ve been doing something the hard way, then tried it the easy way, which somehow made doing that something even harder?  Well, that’s me. I’m the person that somehow always finds the hard way first and by the time I figure out that it’s the hard way, the easy way is sometimes difficult for me to get or do. Let’s take my recent archery class as an example.

When I started archery, I put my thumb to my cheek when I pulled the bow string back and aimed way off to the bottom right. I’ve been doing this for about 5 weeks. (So more than 21 days.) My teacher observed me and asked where I was aiming. I showed him, and explained that I was aiming for the most visible part on the wall from the bottom right corner of the target, then moving it to the right more.

He offered to show me how to get my aim more on target. I jumped at the chance. A more visible place to aim would definitely help my poor eyesight. So he showed the whole class how to shoot the bow with your face on the string and using your back muscles to open up your stance more. He went through it again and observed me once more.

And his method worked! I was aiming just a little to the side and I got it in the white. The first shot. The second shot was way off the target. So, was the third. The fourth and fifth shots were on target, just not that close to the bullseye. Coach said it was normal. Changing anything to a shooting process changes the consistency. I would have to keep practicing and relearn the new process till it was consistent.

Sounds easy, and he was very encouraging. None of that made me less frustrated, or sore (my right shoulder and the area surrounding it is still sore), or gave me the results I wanted. I was getting an average of 3 out of 5 shots onto the target, but they were all over the target. It looked similar to my first practice, but with some shots in the white. It was a bit discouraging. But, that didn’t change the fact that his method was easier. It didn’t make me want to do archery any less.

God asks us to do the same. To stay with Him, no matter how hard doing and continuing the right thing is. Our body, our mind, it’s natural. It’s a muscle that has learned a certain way to do things. It has conformed to what it knows, it is familiar with and harmonizes with the natural.

But God has, is, and will continue to show us a better, new, way to live. An eternal way to live that is new every morning. A way of life full of faith, hope, and love. He wants us on that path. He even gave us a Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who is like our personal coach for life! He has given us and is willing to give anything we need. He believes we can do the right thing consistently, stay on the path. We just have to continually learn this new way. 

We might get off target, once, twice, maybe even three times. But we can also hit the mark. If we keep going. If we train ourselves, those times we miss will slowly lessen. Those times we hit the mark will grow, until we are continually hitting the mark. We can stay on the path. We just have to be willing to work at it. To stick with God.

Because no matter what, He’s sticking with you.