Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Mark Batterson, The Lion Chaser’s Manifesto, Chase The Lion
In the next few weeks, this blog will take Mark Batterson’s “Lion Chaser’s Manifesto” piece-by-piece, and point-by-point, with our ultimate objective being to engrave all that is in it, in our mind and on our heart’s.
I really love this first point. How many of us have become so obsessed with our own illusions of “certainty and safety” that we have chosen to live our lives as if our only real purpose is to arrive safely at death?
Is that REAL living?
Is that what Jesus died to provide for us?
I don’t think so.
I want to live an Ephesians 3: 20 lifestyle!
Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.
That sounds like REAL LIVING to me.
But I have to confess, I think for decades I have been sleepwalking through most of my days.
So many unexpected disappointments had rocked my world in the Nineties.
I was left despairing of anything better than merely surviving.
Since the enemy couldn’t take me out? I believe he knew, if he could just numb my “hope in God” to the point that, in my hopelessness? My life would become so bland and joyless, he could easily nullify any positive effects my life would have for myself, or anyone else. And, of course, his ultimate goal was the nullification of my ultimate destined purpose!
But God had a different plan!
It began, by surrendering everything to Him, including some of my dearest hopes.
It didn’t happen until I hit rock bottom.
It didn’t happen until God pried my white knuckles from all of my plans.
And, it didn’t happen until I was good and miserable with my status-quo!
But, when I finally let go…
When I surrendered everything, to trust a God who knew me inside out and upside down, and I let go of even the “good” things in my life to “embrace” God’s ultimate best?
God began to move!
First in my heart, as dreams I had long forgotten and prayers I had long ago abandoned, began to breathe again.
Then my hope began to revive!
That joy-spring began bubbling up again, as God opened fresh springs of encouragement in my soul, and caused them to flow across my previously dry ground.
In the book of Isaiah, there is this wonderful promise given to God’s people:
The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing! Springs will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
The parched ground will become a pool, with springs of water in the thirsty land… Isaiah 35: 6, 7
I love that passage!
There is also this promise,
I will open up rivers for them on high plateaus! I will give them fountains of water in the valleys! In the deserts will be pools of water, and rivers fed by springs shall flow across the dry, parched ground. Isaiah 41:18
God does march His children through the Wilderness sometimes. But it is not meant for our destruction. It is meant for building up our endurance, stamina, and stability, as well as our trust in Him!
Without those three essentials? I believe our dreams, and the huge things we are asking from God for? I believe, would undoubtedly kill us.
God means for us to come up out of our Wilderness “prepared to possess every promise” He has destined for us to have. If you are still seeing nothing but sand dunes right now, trust me. The best days are yet to come!
You will look back and realize that every single day was worth it. And, you will never be able to praise God enough, for all He has taught you and brought you through!
He is a good, GOOD, Father.
He knows what you need and He knows where you’re going.
Walking in your destined purpose will all be worth it.
Women With Destiny 