Book Review – In a pit with a Lion an a snowy day.
-    Mark Batterson

We all need a challenge every now in then to chase after a lion, slay a giant, or step into a firey furnace.

In the spirit of other recent works like Erwin Mcmanus – The Barbarian way, or John Eldredge’s Wild At Heart, Mark Batterson challenges the reader to get back to some of the more primal instincts of Christianity. He along with many others feels that many modern day western Christians have been tamed. Our fire, zeal, and energy that would have us Run with the Giants gone for a more passive laid back consumer Christianity.

Like many other recent works he finds an obscure Old Testament  Scripture and brings it to life. In this case 2 Samuel 23 and the story of Benaiah.

2 Sam 23: 20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

Benaiah rose to the ranks of being King David’s Bodyguard not by shying away from challenges, but by pressing in and seizing on God given opportunities. In this case it didn’t matter if it was a lion, or snowing, or an Egyptian with a spear. He went after them, facing his fears, turning some of the most fearful moments in his life into the most memorable.

I have a habit of writing notes in the back of books. Ones that are kind of boring get very few notes, one’s that are intriguing and make relevant points that stir in my life get more. In this case 8 pages of notes in the generous white portion of the back of the book.

So there were a lot of things that touched my heart.

Here are a few of them.

Chase your God sized dreams no matter the outcome.

Success = Do the best with what you have where you are and make the most of every opportunity.

Spiritual Maturity = seeing and seizing God ordained opportunities.

Opportunity is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.

Our greatest regrets in life will missed opportunities.

Benaiah didn’t focus on the odds or the disadvantages. He didn’t make excuses. He knew that impposible odds set the stage for amazing miracles.

Bigger God = Smaller lions

God is ordering your footsteps even if it feels like you find yourself in a snowy pit with a lion.

How Big is your God?

To overcome fear you have to face the very thing you are afraid of.

Are you living your life in a way that is worth telling stories about?

There are 2 types of people in the world complainers and worshipers – which one are you?

The circumstances you complain about are chains that imprison you. Worship is the way out.

No adversity = no opportunity

Faith embraces uncertainty.

The best moments in your life are unscripted.

God uses risk takers
Playing it safe is risky

Where is God telling you to get out of the boat?

Is the church playing prevent defense or storming the gates of Hell?

Lion chasers are actively looking for ways they can make a difference.

God is in the business of making sure we cross paths with the right people at the right time. Jesus is the ultimate insider.

Our destiny is determined by whether we seize the God given opportunities he puts in front of us.

Don’t despise small beginnings.

Opportunities usually come disguised as insurmountable problems.

Low expectations are produced by a small prayer life. To seize God opportunities you must be in prayer mode! Look for divine appointments.

There are 2 ways to live life prayer mode or survival mode

Guess what, you will never be ready to do what God has called you do. You just have to step up and let Him do the rest.

Don’t find your identity in security or position, but in God.

Finally, in the words of Mickey from Rocky 3 – The worst thing that can happen to any fighter is that they get civilized!

    Back to me. – I couldn’t agree more with Pastor Mark. Readers- don’t let your Christianity get civilized. Live your life in the supernatural. Believe God for great things, face your fears, and make a difference in the lives of others.

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