Who Calls The Shots?

“Calling the shots,” basically means making decisions.  The one who is “calling the shots” is the one who is making the decisions.  Some people believe that this phrase originated with target shooters announcing in advance where the target would be hit, thus showing off their skills.  The phrase is often used in billiards, as one player calls, or names the pocket he is intending a certain ball to drop in.

But most commonly, this phrase is used by those making decisions.  At work, someone “calls the shots,” meaning they make the decisions.  That’s fine at work, but who is “calling the shots” for your life?

This is where it gets interesting.  The dictionary definition is, “to have the power or authority to make decisions or control policy.”  So, again, my question is who is calling the shots for your life? Who has power and is in control of you?

Some people allow circumstances to control their lives.  Others allow other people to have power and authority over their lives.  Still others feel helpless and just follow whoever happens to be “calling the shots.”

Here’s a silly example.  Suppose you received an email from someone that you did not know that said, “You are a creep!  You are disgusting!  You make me sick!”  How would you react to that?  Would it bother you?  Well, in most cases, probably not.

But on the other hand, suppose you received an email from someone you do know, and they said some pretty lousy things about you.  Then what would your reaction be?  Would you believe the words that they wrote?  Would you get angry?

Are your actions, reactions, and decisions based on what is going on around you?  Are they based on what people say to you and what they say about you?  If so, honestly speaking, who is “calling the shots?”

If you hear news reports of a lousy economy do you then assume that there is no way that you are going to get ahead?  I’m not talking about living in fantasy land and saying, “It’s not true; it’s not true!”  I’m talking about allowing information that you see and hear to dictate how you are going to act.

I want to “call the shots” for my own life, and you should “call the shots” for your own life too.  That doesn’t mean there will never be obstacles and challenges.  But, you don’t have to allow the circumstances and conditions around you to decide for you what kind of a life you are going to have.

Take charge and “call your own shots.”  Just like the target shooters announcing in advance where the target would be hit, announce to yourself your goals and dreams.  Be in control of your own life and your own destiny by choosing to think the right thoughts.

You don’t need everyone’s permission to pursue your goals and dreams.  There is only one person’s permission that you need, yours!  Give yourself permission by “calling your own shots” for your own life.

God gave all of us free will to think whatever thoughts we choose to think.  We can decide, as a result of what we see and hear, to think negative defeating thoughts.  Or, we can choose to respond by thinking positive thoughts of success.

Here’s the big key:  it starts with what you think of yourself.  Just because you are “calling the shots” on what you think of yourself, it doesn’t mean they are the right shots.  Regardless of what anyone else thinks, see yourself as a child of God with great potential, because you are!

God promised that He would give you the desires of your heart.  Don’t allow someone else to “call the shots” on your dreams and goals.  You “call your own shots.”  And, when it comes to “calling the shots” about who you are, make sure those shots are all bulls eyes.