Missing the target

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

In ancient times, an odd expression was used during archery practice. If the bowman’s arrows did not make it to the target, those in attendance cried “Sinner, sinner” to signify that they fell short.

This expression is true in not just target practice, but all of life. The human race is not as godlike as God intended. Not only do we fall short of being reflections of His image, often we fall short of true worship.

Consider those who say they worship God best out in the wilderness, appreciating the wonders of creation. If someone cannot worship without a beautiful nature setting — could it be that they are not worshiping God but the works of His hands?

Others insist on a certain type of music in worship. Could it be that they are not worshiping God but the sounds that please them?

Heathens make an image and call it God. Their worship extends to the image (which cannot be God) and does not quite make it to the target. We would not like to be called ‘heathens’ yet we can have incomplete ideas in our heads about worship, and even the nature and attributes of God. If He is a “God of love” only, or a God who always wants our lives comfortable, we might worship that idea instead of His true Being. If so, our worship falls short of the genuine target.

The problem with terminating worship before it reaches the target is that I will always be disappointed with the god I aim for. God is more than beautiful trees, mountains and flowers. He is more than pleasing music, more than any real or mental images. He is a God of love but also of wrath — otherwise there would be no justice. He is a God who cares about my physical comfort but even more about my personal holiness. He will sacrifice the first if it will produce the second.

It takes more than a lifetime to fully understand this God that I must worship. I need His revelation of Himself in nature, in Scripture, in His Son, even in His people. However, He insists that I make no graven images, no mental images. It degrades who He is, and I tend to terminate my focus at the image instead of worshiping the true and living God. God calls such a shortfall “idolatry” and falling short makes me a “sinner.”