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knowing about the chase // Wednesday E-Devotion

Proverbs 12:11 (nlt) --- ...a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
 
Psalm 16:4 (nlt) --- Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.  I will not take part in their sacrifices...
 
The binoculars of one and the gun sight of another center in on the target.  It is one they have been chasing for some time.  They trained for this, planned for it and even went straight to where they knew the target would be...
 
What are they chasing?  It could be a couple of dudes in a deer stand here in southwestern Virginia or skilled soldiers on the battle field of the Middle East, but both know their target and understand their chase.  It takes time and it takes effort, yet they press on because they understand and know about the chase.
 
Christians have a similar chase that we are always on.  Some think we are chasing after God.  Others believe we are chasing after some divine dream.  I would beg to differ and ask each of us to center in on the real chase.
 
It is all about relationships.  Think about it?
 
What keeps us away from a relationship with God?  What keeps us tight with God?  What keeps us from strategic relationships with people who need God?  Where have we found success in those relationships?
 
Fact is, we are all on this chase.  Not about religion, but about relationship.  Not about personal success, but people being saved.  Not about us looking good, but about God getting the glory.  Oh by the way, the chase not only takes effort, it takes courage because it is an awesome adventure that we rarely understand much about.  That is why faith is such a big deal.
 
In the coming months we are going to have a visit with a book I have quoted from and our leadership team has read.  It is In A Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson, and as I close today's devotion about what we chase, I give you The Lion Chaser's Manifesto:
 
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!

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