Matt Emmons is a world-class marksman who is perhaps best known for a critical mistake he made in an important competition. While participating in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Emmons had a comfortable lead going into the final round of the 50-meter, three-position rifle competition. Winning the gold medal seemed like a sure thing.

Emmons fired at the last target and was surprised that the automatic scoring system did not give him any credit for his shots. When the judge examined the target more closely, it was determined that it had not been hit at all. However, there were three extra holes in the target in the next lane over!

Emmons had aimed at the wrong target, and this mistake cost him dearly. Instead of winning the gold, he finished in eighth place.

The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 16:25).

Make sure you are aiming at the right target! The stakes are much too high to make that kind of mistake!

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”—Matthew 6:33.