Finding the Mark

By: Brandon Page

A few weeks ago I was playing basketball with my friend Jefferson and the two of were taking shots at different spots around the paint. As we were shooting Jefferson asked me where I was looking each time I took a shot and I replied that I was looking at the edge of the rim that was closest to me. He then suggested that I look at the back of the rim instead and as I did, my shots improved and I made more of them in. I’m not a basketball expert but for me in that moment this slight adjustment of changing where I was looking while taking my shots resulted in an improved outcome.

Jumping to another example, I have found that when I am very tired my attention is drawn to anything except for the task I have in front of me. In my case that is heat transfer and machine design problems. This can be especially problematic during a short semester when there is only limited time to start with, but what helps me when I have setbacks or when I don’t do as well as I’d hoped is looking towards the hope of doing better at whatever my next assignment is. My mom and dad have given me many a pep talk about giving my best effort, trusting in the Lord, and just focusing on the immediate next thing at hand, and that counsel has enabled me to learn a lot in my studies and be able to grow and progress. Focusing on my failures or obsessing over the list of things that need to be done usually just drains my energy and leaves me discouraged, so I try to avoid that. It is not easy though and I appreciate the frequent reminders from my parents to keep moving forward with faith and focus on the task at hand.

In the scriptures we learn that the mark we should set our sights on is Jesus Christ. As we look to Him, we can find peace and hope even through our shortcomings and trials. We can have access to His light to guide our lives as we focus on His life’s work, which is to help all of us to prepare to live with Him and our Heavenly Parents again. We can do this by loving and serving those around us and with every shot we take looking towards the mark, or with every effort we put in to draw closer to Christ, we will grow and improve and find fulfillment and peace. I believe that Jesus Christ lives and as I think of His love for us and His promises I have hope to keep moving forward.