Lionheart

So I just finished Mark Batterson’s book, “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day”.  I have to say hands down that this is one of the most impressionable books that I have ever read.  I will definitely remember these words and challenges for years to come.  With each page, I found myself more challenged and encouraged.  Mark is definitely a gifted thinker and writer.

In the book, Mark introduces us to Benaiah who, you guessed it, chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day.   His story in 2 Samuel 23:20-22 seems very random, out of place, and somewhat puzzling.  However, Mark shows that there is so much to learn from the three short verses about Benaiah’s exploits.  In the book, he challenges his readers to be ‘lion chasers’–individuals who are not afraid to take risks and look foolish–individuals who can survive and thrive when opportunity roars.  Mark stresses the fact that some of the most terrifying ‘lions’ in our life are really God-sized opportunities that result in amazing God-sized results.

Mark outlines the following seven ‘Lion Chaser’ characteristics:

1.You have comprehend the fact that God is infinite and all-powerful so that you can believe He can help you defy odds.

2. You have to face your fears.

3. You have to learn to reframe your problems through Scripture reading, prayer, and worship.

4.  You have to shift your perspective so that your problem becomes less significant and God’s greatness becomes more evident.

5. You must take risks.

6. You have to be able to see opportunities in order to seize them by getting yourself in tune with the Holy Spirit.

7.  You have to accept that you are going to look foolish sometimes.

On very important point that Mark brings up is the fact that we, as people, were born to chase.  When we were young, we chased animals and insects.  When we got older, the guys chased girls and the girls chased the guys –from there we chased academic, athletic, and professional goals.  Mark then points out that ‘chasing’ is ingrained inside of us and thus we should chase God with all that we are.  That is on point!  God has placed that chasing desire in us so that we would run hard after Him and what He has for us.  It is absolutely amazing at how God has designed us!

This book has been so inspirational for me as I have been challenged to change my perspective in how I see my problems, circumstances, and opportunities.  Being a Lion Chaser is no easy task, yet it is something, as Mark points out, that can be learned through dedication and intensity.  God has so much in store for us if only we would be willing to take Him at His Word, take risks, and be reckless in our pursuit of what He has called us to.  In reading this book, God definitely showed me some lions that I should be chasing right now as well as some lions that I will chase for years to come.

Being a young person, I hear people who I come in contact with always ask about ‘hearing from God’.  ”How do I hear from God”, “What is hearing from God?”, “How do you know God is speaking?”, “Is God speaking?”, etc–it varies.

This is huge in the college/young professional time of life but it is relevant to all.  People always want to hear a message or hear a talk about ‘How to hear from God’. These same individuals really get desperate about hearing from Him when it comes time to make a big decision, career choice, etc.

We always want the magic formula or the audible voice to just tell us something.  We are so quick to put the ‘hearing from God’ problem back on God with the excuse that He doesn’t speak anymore.  We have all heard the excuse, “Oh yea, God used to speak to people in the Bible, but He doesn’t do that anymore”.

WRONG!!  God still speaks.  God is constantly speaking for that matter.  The problem isn’t on His end, but rather it’s on ours.  We have dropped the ball.  We can’t hear God for the noise.  There are so many things that are going on–so many thing that demand our attention that we can barely even think straight.  We run through our day, crossing out things on our to-do list, consume a bit of food, pay our dues in our relationships, go to bed, and start it all over again the next day.  All the while–God is speaking the whole time.

It’s left up to us.  We have got to cut out the noise.  Get in His Word.  Spend a few minutes on our knees in prayer–and how bout this, don’t ask for stuff the whole time–just sit in silence.  You would be amazed at what God can do in our silence.  Let’s get our focus off of us and on Him and what He is saying.  The Word says that we know His voice.  It’s just left up to us being quiet enough to listen.

Brad Cooper, Student Pastor at NewSpring Church, drops a bomb about prayer in this post:

http://www.bradcooper.us/?p=2109

Thanks, Brad for your confession and transparency. Awesome word!!