Aim High – A Spiritual Story About Listening To God

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree. As he went further, he saw a large wild Tom turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, Pray first, aim high and stay focused.

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still, the voice said again to him, I said ‘Pray, Aim high and Stay focused?

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family. The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Special thanks to Malladi for sharing this spiritual story with us!

The author of this spiritual story is unknown and greatly appreciated.

What Is the Spiritual Moral / Meaning Of the “Aim High” Story?

The story poignantly embodies the spiritual principle of divine guidance. It illustrates how amidst life's challenges, an inner voice, a guiding presence, can offer wisdom. The man grapples with choices, torn between various opportunities and dangers. In the midst of confusion, the voice of guidance emerges, offering a simple yet profound directive: “Pray first, aim high and stay focused.” This encapsulates the essence of spiritual guidance, reminding us of the importance of attuning to higher wisdom in navigating life's complexities.

Another spiritual lesson woven into this tale is the significance of surrendering to divine guidance. Despite encountering distractions and what seemed like better opportunities, the man chooses to heed the voice's counsel. In doing so, he aligns himself with something greater, surrendering his impulses and desires to a higher wisdom. This serves as a reminder of the transformative power of surrender and trust in a divine plan, even when it appears counterintuitive or challenging.

The story underscores the principle of trust in the face of adversity. The man encounters multiple obstacles, each seemingly diverting him from the original goal. Yet, amidst this chaos, the consistent message persists, urging him to maintain focus and trust. This spiritual principle mirrors life's trials, urging us to trust in the unseen, even when circumstances appear daunting or contrary to our expectations.

Another significant spiritual lesson is the interplay between intention and divine orchestration. The man's intention was to secure food for his family, yet the sequence of events unfolded in unexpected ways, seemingly beyond his control. This illustrates the intricate dance between human intention and divine providence. It signifies the notion that while we set intentions, the universe unfolds in its own mysterious ways, often guiding us toward outcomes beyond our initial understanding or anticipation.

Central to this narrative is the concept of divine intervention and blessings in disguise. Despite the man's initial struggle and the unexpected turn of events, the outcome was one of abundance and unexpected provision. What seemed like a series of unfortunate events culminated in a providential cascade of blessings—an array of sustenance for the man's family. This spiritual principle highlights the idea that within life's challenges, there might lie unforeseen blessings and provisions, reminding us of the mysterious ways in which the divine operates.

Finally, the story conveys the symbolic triumph of goodness over darkness. The snake, representative of malevolence or negativity, meets its end. Its demise aligns with the man's adherence to divine guidance and the eventual manifestation of blessings. This symbolizes the victory of light, goodness, and divine alignment over adversity and darkness, reaffirming the eternal principle of positivity and divine guidance prevailing amidst life's trials.

This story is a tapestry of spiritual lessons intricately woven into a tale of trials and unexpected blessings. It reminds us of the significance of divine guidance, surrender, trust, the interplay of intention and providence, hidden blessings within challenges, and the triumph of goodness. Each facet of this story serves as a beacon, guiding us toward deeper spiritual understanding and offering profound insights into navigating life's complexities through faith, surrender, and alignment with divine wisdom.

Personal Reflection Questions

Spiritual stories are an opportunity to reflect on your own life. Here are 10 questions you can use to go deeper with the teachings in this story:

1. Reflect on moments in your life when you faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. How does the story of the man with an old rifle and three bullets resonate with your own experiences of navigating adversity?
2. Consider the significance of the voice guiding the man: “Pray first, aim high, and stay focused.” How might these principles apply to your own decision-making process when confronted with choices and obstacles?
3. Explore the theme of unexpected turns in the story, such as missing the rabbit, the appearance of a rattlesnake, and the gun's handle falling off. How do these twists parallel the unpredictable nature of life, and what insights can you draw from the man's response to these surprises?
4. Contemplate the moment when the man faces conflicting options—a wild turkey or a deer. How often have you encountered situations where you had to make choices between seemingly good opportunities? What factors influence your decision-making in such moments?
5. Reflect on the symbolism of the rattlesnake as Satan and the man's choice to follow the divine guidance. How do you interpret the idea of listening to an inner voice or higher wisdom when faced with moral or ethical dilemmas?
6. Explore the concept of prayer as a transformative act in the story. How might incorporating a moment of prayer or reflection influence your own approach to decision-making and problem-solving?
7. Consider the interconnectedness of the man's actions—the bullet bouncing off the turkey, killing the deer, and inadvertently dispatching the snake. How does this interconnectedness reflect the intricate tapestry of cause and effect in your own life?
8. Delve into the symbolism of the man being knocked into a pond after the gun went off. How might this unexpected outcome symbolize the unpredictable consequences of our actions, even when guided by higher principles?
9. Contemplate the abundance that follows the man's adherence to divine guidance—fish in his pockets, a dead deer, and a turkey for his family. How does this resonate with the idea of unexpected blessings that may come from aligning one's actions with higher principles?
10. Reflect on the overarching message of the story—listening to God's voice leading to unexpected blessings and overcoming challenges. How can you incorporate the essence of this story into your own life, embracing guidance from a deeper source and navigating challenges with faith and focus?