One of my favorite authors, Mark Batterson, is about to
share his newest book Chase The Lion. You might remember that when The Community
Fellowship began one of our biggest pushes came after we read one of Batterson’s
earlier books In A Pit With A Lion On A
Snowy Day. That book and the
inspiration pushed us a great deal.
Since that
time I have shared the book make times, and that with the power of the Holy
Spirit has changed lives. It has been
incredible.
That is why I
have walked back a bit and reread some of the things I shared almost 10 years
ago.
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,"
says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could
imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so
my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your
thoughts.
That verse and the following paragraph known as “the
lion chaser’s manifest” says it all very well.
Read on:
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. Consider the lilies. 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 worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges.
Blaze a new trail. 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. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the lion!
What if our biggest victory is sitting right behind our
biggest fear? Stop holding back and keep
the chase going.
My prayer is that we will embrace the vision God has for
us and following God with more gusto than ever before. Hey Community family, lets chase this one
together!
This is my
command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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