Arc of Movement

This past weekend, I attended a class and completed the certification on gun safety.  Though it took an entire day, the information was interesting and useful, thanks to the instructor.  In explaining targets and the focus necessary to hit the intended area, the phrase “arc of movement” intrigued me…on multiple levels.  The arc of movement, as he laid out, describes the minimal motion caused by breathing, heart rate and pulse.  But he taught that the target can still be hit, and even the intended area, if we relax, steady our hand, focus our aim and gently squeeze the trigger.  In other words, small movement away from the perfect center doesn’t have to distract us. 

In life, leadership and ministry, a similar principle applies: steadying our approach and focusing our aim is about excellence versus perfection.  Perfection is hitting dead center 100 percent of the time.  Let’s not put that kind of pressure on ourselves.  Excellence, however, is something we can go for, in light of continuing to better our focus and trigger strength.  Pick out a particular area on the “target” and steady yourself.  You may not hit the center as much as you would like, but the results can be more and more consistent as you…relax, steady your approach and focus your aim. 

So, how relaxed and focused have you been lately?