Someone told me about the book In a pit with a lion on a snowy day by Mark Batterson roughly a year and a half ago and I put it on my TBR (to be read) list. Whilst treating myself to a few books I got it about a year ago and it’s been sitting on my kindle gathering dust. Then for some reason I decided to start reading it a little less than a month ago and I’m so glad I did.
In this book Mark Batterson talks about being what he calls a ‘lion chaser.’ Someone who acts even when afraid. Someone who where others would run, walks into, in fact runs towards what is in front of them. Being pro-active rather than reactive. Instead of letting things happen to you, you happen to things when you’re a lion chaser. He brings this out and explores it in great detail using the Bible story of Benaiah from 2nd Samuel 23 verses 20 and 21. You should go and read it if you don’t know the story. In brief though, Benaiah chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day and killed it, yes you read that correctly, he chased a lion and killed it!
This book felt like it was written for me. I don’t think it would have had the same impact if I’d read it when I found out about it or when I bought it. It had to be at just the right time. I needed to hear the message in the book because I was at a point where I was having this restlessness in me and I was starting to resent the uncertainty of life. I might otherwise not have gotten the revelations that I did had I read it any other time. The most amazing thing happened whilst I was reading this book.
At a certain point in the book Mark talks about how he asked God what he should do with his life and went on to suggest that we do the same. I know what I’m passionate about and I have a vision for my life but I realized I had never thought to ask God what He wanted me to do with my life. I knew God has a purpose for my life and He would fulfill that so I didn’t feel the need to know what that was. I even discuss that in this post.
As per Mark’s suggestion I asked God what to do with my life and I believe He has answered me. He did so in a way that I know without a doubt it’s from God. I’ve found when I get revelations from the Holy Spirit I get this overwhelming feeling and I start crying, that happened in this case. It makes sense with all the desires in my heart. It’s not something I dreamed of or am passionate about but somehow it makes sense with the desires God put in my heart. It is my purpose on this earth. I believe in fulfilling that, God will allow me to live out my dreams as well.
The sense of peace this has brought me is indescribable. It’s filtering into all areas of my life. I’m so grateful to Mark Batterson for writing this book and to God for letting me read it when I did. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you get it as soon as you can.
To give you a taste of what to expect in this book, here are 7 quotes that resonated with me:
1. “How you think about God will determine who you become. You aren’t just the by-product of “nature” and “nurture.” You are the by-product of your God-picture. And that internal picture of God determines how you see everything else.”
2. “A request can never be ridiculous when you’re asking the One who knows no limits.”
3. “Don’t let what’s wrong with you, keep you from worshiping what’s right with God.”
4. “The outcome of your life will be determined by your outlook on life.’’
5. “If you don’t have any problems, you don’t have any potential. Your ability to help others heal is limited to where you’ve been wounded.’’
6. “A dream becomes reality one opportunity at a time.’’
7. “Part of taking God more seriously is taking yourself less seriously.’’
