Missing Your Target?

In his book, What the Dog Saw, Malcolm Gladwell recounts a story of the first Gulf war in which two squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were sent to destroy Scud missiles Iraq was firing at Israel. They had the latest navigational and targeting device on-board, capable of taking high-resolution infrared photographs from four miles up. How hard could it be to pick out a huge tractor-trailer missile launcher in the middle of the desert?

Officials recorded about 100 hits. After the war, the Air Force dispatched a team to determine the effectiveness of the campaign. They didn’t see what they expected. The actual number of definite Scud kills was zero.

The pilots had been operating at night. Depth perception was impaired. Cameras worked only if pointed at the right spot. The right spot was not always obvious. Major General Mike DeCuir, who flew many of these missions said, “It was like driving down an interstate looking through a soda straw.” They had missed their targets.

We set targets or goals all the time or they are set for us. Life goals. Business targets. And then we miss them. Opportunities abound. Change happens. The unexpected takes over. We reach for a crown and get a cross. A stone rolls across the opening and shuts away our hopes. We are “driving down an interstate looking through a soda straw.” We begin expecting one outcome but something else happens on the way. I know at least a dozen guys who had this happen to them all at the same time. You can read about them in John 20 and Luke 24. It was a real life-changer.

So here’s my idea? Take a walk. It’s what two of his followers did. A simple walk. Ask a good friend to go with you. Experience the feeling of being truly known by someone. Share your disappointment. You set a target and you missed it. Listen well to what your friend says. Get fresh perspective. Admit disappointment without caving in to it. Stay the course until you see what’s missing. Was it the target that was at fault? Was it your aim? What?

Something as simple as a walk with a friend can open your eyes. No defense. No excuse. Just an honest walk and talk. Listen well. And what you hear isn’t what you expected. It’s even better. You see things differently. And you realize during your walk it’s not just a good friend with whom you are talking. It is your Best Friend!

I always like an honest walk and talk with my Friend. I come away with true perspective. After all, he is the King of Kings.

The sun is rising on a new day, good friend, one filled with new hope.

The Son is risen. He is risen indeed.

Happy Easter.