Chasing Lions...
Are you a big reader? Some of us would say we haven't read a book since we were required to in grade school. Some of us read voraciously. Frankly, I'm in the middle. Recently, I revisited a book that I've read multiple times… "In the Pit of Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. Mark challenges us to reflect upon the courage of Benaiah in 2 Samuel 23:20-21... “He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion”.
That statement demands a pause. He did what?
The entire book is taken from this short and obscure passage. Therefore, caution should be used in building an entire theology or practice exclusively from this on statement, but I find such encouragement from Benaiah's valor. I might not be an actual warrior that must strike down literal lions, but I have my own lions that I can lock eyes with and take down. So do you.
God does not call us to a life of fear and idleness. He calls us to a life of abandon... faith... pursuit... meaning... faithfulness… courage…
Read a few of these passages.
Romans 8:31 | Proverbs 3:5-6 | Isaiah 41:10 | Hebrews 13:5b-6 | 2 Timothy 1:7 | Psalm 23:4 | Deuteronomy 31:6 | John 14:27 | Psalm 27:1 | Psalm 46:1-3 | Psalm 55:22
I think Benaiah understood the truths of these passages. Oh Lord, help us do the same.
Here is Mark Batterson's "Lion Chaser's Manifesto" from the book...
“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Don’t let fear dictate your decisions. Take a flying leap of faith. Chase the lion!” Mark Batterson
Rob
That statement demands a pause. He did what?
The entire book is taken from this short and obscure passage. Therefore, caution should be used in building an entire theology or practice exclusively from this on statement, but I find such encouragement from Benaiah's valor. I might not be an actual warrior that must strike down literal lions, but I have my own lions that I can lock eyes with and take down. So do you.
God does not call us to a life of fear and idleness. He calls us to a life of abandon... faith... pursuit... meaning... faithfulness… courage…
Read a few of these passages.
Romans 8:31 | Proverbs 3:5-6 | Isaiah 41:10 | Hebrews 13:5b-6 | 2 Timothy 1:7 | Psalm 23:4 | Deuteronomy 31:6 | John 14:27 | Psalm 27:1 | Psalm 46:1-3 | Psalm 55:22
I think Benaiah understood the truths of these passages. Oh Lord, help us do the same.
Here is Mark Batterson's "Lion Chaser's Manifesto" from the book...
“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Don’t let fear dictate your decisions. Take a flying leap of faith. Chase the lion!” Mark Batterson
Rob
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