Have you heard what Target is up to these days? Have you heard the latest news?
No?
Neither have I…NOR…DO…I…CARE…
Think Target and for some crazy reason people gravitate to the more expensive “discount” store. My mind works differently. I was never a big fan of the Far Side, but I remember grazing through one of those big books of Far Side while visiting someone’s house. One was “How Birds See the World” and it had a target on the top of everything, including a man’s head. The other was one Far Side character (I think it was a deer) saying to another who happened to have a target on its chest, “Bummer of a birth mark.” Those two struck me funny then, and I still chuckle now as I remember them.
THAT IS THE KIND OF TARGET I AM REFERRING TO.
Not a target for archery/shooting practice or competition. A different kind of target.
I have been reading, and am almost finished with The Measure of Our Success by Shawn Lovejoy. What a great book! Every pastor-every church leader-ought to read it. At 59 and almost 11 months I can honestly say I wish I had read this book years ago, like when I first started in ministry. It may have made a difference in how I saw myself and my ministry. Anyway, Shawn makes a great point when he quotes Bill Hybels:
Somewhere along the way, I conceded the point that the more influence you carry, the bigger target you wear. (p.120)
Whoa! Back the truck up! What an honest-to-goodness true statement. I don’t care if you are a pastor, a schoolteacher, a foreman at work, an influential athlete, a business owner, makes no difference. The truth of that statement still stands. Later Shawn goes on to include several other quotes that I want to link to this one:
You are not sent of God to court smiles but to win souls. Charles Spurgeon
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” The Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
It is not uncommon in Christian circles to talk about influence and how people are watching us. True statement. Let’s face it, especially in this skeptical world we live in. we are under a microscope. To put it the way of the post: we do have a target on us. The moment we say, “I am a Christ-follower” we put a neon target on our chest. And people will use us for target practice. They will shoot their missiles, their arrows, their ammunition, and tragically after watching many of us, will be dead center. We are targets without a doubt. Let’s get serious about “lighting it up.”
What are your thoughts? Do you feel like you have a target on you? Does it affect the way you live?
I don’t think anyone really cares what christians believe. I think the target comes about by what they say or do.
The “I am going to Heaven and you are going to Hell” is OK to believe but doesn’t play well with a non believer. Particularly when the person saying it is of questionable moral or ethical character themselves.
A lot of high profile Christian spokespeople say some pretty outrageous things in promoting the religion.
Was 911 really God’s way of showing his anger for the Gays in America.
Is Gay marriage really the biggest problem we have in America?
Are Catholic priests someone you want mentoring your children?
These kind of things tend to produce targets on people that say they believe in the same thing that these right wing nut jobs and perverts believe.
Just letting your light shine doesn’t produce any targets.
I have no problem with what you are saying Jeff. i was not implying that we ought to just let our light shine. While the target is on Christ-followers, we need to “shine out” in our lives. Check out the last line of the post. Unfortunately, you are right in that targets are exposed by our actions (which are not always on the up and up).
Great post that I understand. However, I have never in my life felt like I wear a target because of who I am or what I believe. Maybe because I am not a public figure or celebrity.
I think you are being watched by others anyway. 🙂
I know I have a target on me. From preacher’s kid to school teacher to other places of responsibility.
We need to know where we stand on the issues but personally I think dealing with them with other people is better done in the context of a relationship with them. I’m off of Facebook for a season, but some of the ugliest posts I’ve seen on there have come from Christians bashing Obama, gays, and you name it. And I’m not talking about people from that church in Kansas. Talk about ineffective. If we’re going to be a target, I think it should be for the right reasons and not because we are being deliberately obnoxious in the hopes that we can win someone to Christ.
BTW – I love me some Far Side. That and Calvin and Hobbes remain my favorite comics evar.
I am not on fb at all Susan and can honestly say I don’t miss it. I would not do very well with vitriol I hear, especially from those who claim to be Christ-followers.
Hi Bill,
There are times when I feel that I have a target on me. In my life right now I don’t feel this target. I noticed this in the law courts though. I’m thinking it has to do with the ‘spirit’ that is in that system versus someone who is godly dealing with it. They sense it. They don’t like it.
Wickedness hates godliness. We as believers have to concede to this point. Wickedness wants others to do as they do. They are glad and joyous when they can prove that someone who claims ‘godliness’ fails, so to speak. This is why as believers we have to stand our ground.
Ephesians 6:13
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”. KJV
Light and dark cannot coexist.
I feel like the target’s so big it’s not on me but I on it. lol
🙂 There are those days.
Wow. Great reminder! I totally agree with the idea that when you have a circle of influence, you live with a target. It is then HOW you handle the target that makes a difference. The enemy wants to snipe us out every chance he can – do we fall under every attack or learn to protect ourselves and rise up to be the leaders that God has called us to be?
thanks Bill!
Agree with your imagery Craig. The enemy is a sniper.
I think Jeff brings up a good point… I think in many ways we paint the target on ourselves when as Christians we bash. There is definitely a difference in disagreeing with a choice of lifestyle and bashing the person. I personally don’t think the street preacher on the campus at the university I attended showed Christ’s love… which is ultimately what we are supposed to be doing. At the same time, I don’t think we as Christians need to stand on the sidelines and watch the moral decay of our society without attempting to intervene. I do think we need to be vocal on certain issues, however, there is a way to be vocal without being antagonistic.
There will be areas that we will agree to disagree, however, we can remain civil. Unfortunately the vocal minority of both sides tend to escallate the emotianal side of the issues without regard to the people that are impacted.
I also feel Jeff brings up a good point in the way we approach things. While we need to take a stand, taking one with belligerence is not the way to do it. Nor being caustic about things. Nor name-calling. Sadly you are right about the vocal minority.
If I’m honest with myself…then I want a target on my back. However, I don’t think being a target is such a negative thing. How can I be salt…light…love without standing out? A target can be an image of attack but also a mark…a goal…a objective…a object (I like this one) …a purpose. Here’s the purpose…
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (KJV)
Good thoughts by everybody today…as usual. Thanks Bill!
Great point Jay! To be salt and light we do need to “stand out.” Glad the discussion has been a good one.
If the world hated Christ, they most certainly will hate us. Human nature loves to see good win out over evil, but in the day to day battle, the envious heart loves to see the good fall… How sad is that? The world longs to see us fail. What they don’t get it that we will fail, and often, but in our failures we grow stronger in Him… that’s the part they really hate.
I think we all look pretty good in black and white… rings.
So true that they will hate us.
I agree. I think it is, in a small part, why not many of us should aspire to be teachers, etc. You put yourself out there and others will try to tear you down.
James 3 sure backs up what you are saying Larry.
Hi Bill,
Jeff commented here, “I don’t think anyone really cares what christians believe. I think the target comes about by what they say or do”.
I think the target comes about because of ‘Jesus Christ’. He was subjected to much abuse and targeting by unbelievers. He was performing miracles, going about doing good, etc. Jesus asked these people, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” John 10:32
This clearly shows that our behavior as believers is only a part of the protest. The main issue is Jesus Christ and the unwillingness of disobedient people to acknowledge and accept him.
Those people who become hardened over time against Jesus will perish. This is the teaching of the Bible.
Not sure if I agree with your reasoning Linda. I know of some who are not antagonistic toward Jesus but have become that way toward the church and ultimately Jesus only because of the behavior of His followers.
I think that I know what you’re saying Bill, but in the case of Jesus himself there was nothing to criticize in his behavior.
My feeling is that even if believers were perfect in their conduct accusations would continue and may even be worse.
They killed Jesus not because of his faults but because they were of their father the devil.
Thx for your kind words cycleguy! So glad to hear God spoke to you thru the book!
Wow Shawn! I am humbled that you would read and comment. Thanks.
I haven’t really looked at it as a curse but more as a privilege. I have the chance to show Christ to the world, and one of the ways I can do that is by being a man of integrity at every level. That may mean a little over-the-top in making sure that I’m projecting an image of integrity – such as refusing to be alone with a woman other than family – but I’m starting to see that as a positive and loving thing. It’s me caring about unbelievers enough to change many things about my life.
I like the attitude that you see it as caring about unbelievers to make changes. Integrity goes a long way.
I don’t feel like I have a target, but I do feel like I’m a representative of God, a disciple, if you will….so my actions & words had better be honorable. I want to be the salt & light of the earth, for His love to shine through me, maybe getting someone to wonder what’s up with me. And sometimes not only do the unbelievers need to make changes, we believers do as well. Great post!
As a rep of Jesus, you have a target. People are watching you. However, you do make a good point jan. Sometimes we also need to make a change.