Whether you are a parent now, have been in the past, or hope to be in the future, when it comes to the children in our society, the old saying is true, “Sometimes it takes a village.” In the body of Christ, we all have a part to play in raising up the next generation of believers. We are called by God and specifically equipped by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in their lives and to raise them well. Whether you serve them in church, teach them in school, or just love them in society, we all have the opportunity to influence the lives of children on a regular basis.  

I’ve always thought this passage interesting, comparing children to arrows. It’s a powerful symbolism that I think often gets lost on us in our current culture. So let’s start by taking a look at what arrows meant to the original readers of this Psalm.  

First, arrows must be carefully shaped and designed if they are to shoot straight. Arrows don’t grow on trees, and they certainly don’t just happen. The craftsman takes time to measure, design, and build the arrows with precision and accuracy. The best arrows are straight, strong, and perfectly balanced. Likewise, children who are going to be released from the quiver of our homes, schools, and churches need careful tending and intentional craftmanship in their lives. It’s hard, tedious work. But if we have any hope of them shooting straight and hitting their mark, we have to take the time to build them up well.  

Next, arrows don’t fly on their own, they need to be guided and released by a strong hand who sees the target well. Likewise, the children in our care are still figuring life out. They are going to make mistakes, and we certainly can’t expect them to figure this out on their own. So, God designed the family, the community, and the church to be a place where each person can grow, make mistakes, and learn, guided by the wisdom and strength of those who have gone before us. We have a special gift to give children- we can see the target better than them. So as a community, we can send them off well by aiming them in the right direction. 

They have potential for both good and bad. See, arrows in and of themselves are neither good nor evil. But they can be used for both purposes. The outcome of them being released is defined by the target they are pointed at. Likewise, as adults, we have to recognize that whatever we point our kids to will largely determine their trajectory. If we want our kids pointed toward righteousness, we have to commit every day to point them back in that direction. It’s not easy and it takes constant intentionality. Because, like any good marksman knows, even the smallest distraction can point you off course.  

And finally, arrows were meant to be sent. As a parent, the hardest reality I have ever faced is that the mark of a good parent is to send your kids out well. I am literally raising my children to leave me. It’s hard for this mamma heart to fully grab onto the idea that my success as a parent means they need me the least. But God has a hand on my children, and He has a mission for them in this world that cannot be accomplished inside the four walls of my home. So, in obedience and faith, we pull our arrows back, line them up well, aim for the target, and then let them fly.  When all is said and done, our hands are emptier than they were before. But, if we did our job well, our kids will hit their targets!