Like Arrows In The Hand Of A Warrior
March 16, 2010
NASV – Ps. 127:4 – Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
Several years ago I made the switch from hunting with a compound bow to a traditional longbow. I did not realize the learning curve would be neither as long nor as hard as it was. After a year of intense learning and practice with the kind of bow and arrows used in the Bible, I better understand the words of Psalm 127: 3-5 and how those words relate to raising children. A bow shooter must have a proper stance if he is going to shoot right. A parent must as well. He must be stable and balanced in life understanding the different winds that blow. Right priorities must govern a parent. A bow shooter must breathe correctly as he draws the bow and a parent must breathe in life. There is a time to be serious and a time to laugh. A bow shooter must have a proper grip with the right amount of tension on the string. A parent must learn to balance love and law. A bow shooter must always stay focused on the target; and a parent must realize and teach his children that there is a Transcendent Cause for their life – that being the glory of God. A bow shooter must always draw the arrow full, and stay anchored; and a parent must stay anchored to the Word of God. A bow shooter knows that when the arrow is drawn full and the anchor is reached there comes the release of the arrow. A parent, sooner than he can imagine, also realizes that his children must be released, fully and cleanly. It is called life! A bow shooter also knows that his shot is not over until the arrow reaches the target. A loving parent also realizes this same principle. While there is a tension as he sees the children “fly”, his love is always watching and praying, standing ready to help should need arise.
After shooting several years I learned that every time an arrow is shot it goes through what is called the Archer’s Paradox. As the bow is drawn energy is stored in the bow limbs. Upon release energy is transferred through the string to the arrow. There is an immediate burst of energy as the arrow is released for the first time. Finally the arrow is “free.” As the arrow flies for the first time oscillations (bending) occurs in the arrow. As the arrow moves to the target the oscillations become smaller. No matter how “perfect” the mechanics of the shooter, every arrow goes through the bending. The arrows has never has this kind of energy (freedom) before. That’s why it is called the Archer’s Paradox, because all the shooter can do is look – and Pray! It’s the Law of the Arrow. Parents are to train them up – shoot them out for the Glory of God - and never cease to pray.
