I have been going through the Threads Study, Chase the Lion, by Mark Batterson. The premise of the study is based on 2 Samuel 23:20-23 about a guy named Benaiah who went down into a pit on a snowy day and ended up killing a lion. Bizarre? I know. I thought so too. It is not every day you hear a story like Benaiah’s. What I am learning through a guy like Benaiah is that at some point in our lives we are going to be up against a huge lion. It appears that the odds are stacked against us. Don’t you think Benaiah thought so too? However, he did not let fear prohibit action. He was courageous, stepped forward, and put the lion to rest. He was indeed a lion-chaser. Defying all the odds stacked against him he was proactive.
There are lions before us that can weigh us down such as debt, fear, loneliness, health issues, parenting, needing a job, loss of a loved one, divorce, and so much more. As a lion-chaser we cannot maintain survival mode. We must be proactive in getting out of debt even if that means getting a second job or giving up something you enjoy doing for a few months. Maybe it is not sitting around feeling sorry for yourself but volunteering your time at a local ministry or within your church. Whatever the lion may be there is always an opportunity to face it knowing that impossible odds increase our faith in God which allows God to work a greater miracle!
What about those lions lying around that are not necessarily weighing you down but are always walking around in the back of your mind? Are you going to get to the end of your life and wonder what would have happened if you had taken action? What does that lion look like? Is it a ministry opportunity? Is it moving to a new city? Is it quitting your job that provides financial security and moving to another country to share the gospel? Is it teaching a Sunday school class or community group, being a better parent, or sharing your faith more?
The biggest takeaway from this study for me has been the challenge and reminder that as Christians we live a life of faith. Living by faith does not always mean that the road map will be clearly marked. It means risk-taking. Adventure. The Unknown. Lion-Chasers are comfortable with levels of uncertainty because faith and total dependence on the God of this Universe is honorable, life-changing, rewarding, and TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!
As you have read this I know you can name the lions you are facing. What are you waiting for? Get to chasing! Don’t miss out on anymore opportunities to exercise your faith and watch your God work!
To learn more about becoming a Lion-Chaser visit threadsmedia.com/chase-the-lion/.