Lionheart

So I just finished Mark Batterson’s Wild Goose Chase.  I have to say that I enjoyed it more than his first book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.  In a Pit with a Lion was amazing, but this new book kicked it up a notch.  Each page definitely encouraged and challenged me in more ways than one.

In the book, Mark speaks of what the Celtic Christians call “An Geadh-Glas” or the Wild Goose.  He explains the fact that the Celtic Christians referred to the Holy Spirit as the Wild Goose in that our following/chasing after Him is often mysterious, unexplainable, and sometimes totally random.  Mark goes on to say that if we embrace our Wild Goose Chase, then we embrace a chase for Holy Spirit and the things of God.  The journey can be crazy and weird at times, but the path leads to fulfillment and glory to God.

Also, Mark explains several things in our lives that serve as cages–cages in that they keep us from pursuing the things of God.  Mark goes on to speak of the fact that if we have the courage to come out of the cage and embrace the chase, then our lives will be taken to new levels in our relationship with Christ.

Mark closes his book with the “Wild Goose Chase” mantra; I absolutely love it:

-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.

-Dont let fear dictate your decisions.

-Don’t take the easy way out.

-Dont maintain the status quo.

-Stop pointing out problems, and become part of the solution.

-Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.

-Stop playing not lose and start playing to win.

-Expand your horizons.

-Create some margins.

-Take off your sandals.

-Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.

-Live today like it is the first day and the last day of your life.

-Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God.

-Burn sinful bridges.

-Challenge old assumptions.

-Blaze new trails.

-Don’t stop making mistakes. Celebrate your failures.

-Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself.

-Don’t make a living. Make a life.

-Quit making excuses.

-Quit playing defense.

-And quit letting eight-foot ceilings on what God can do.

-Chase the Goose!

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.