Learning to Be a Lion-Chaser {Part 2}

{by Katrina Rebsch}

As I finished my second read-through of this book, more slowly this time in order to better digest the content, the wheels in my heart and mind began turning.  Slowly at first, then faster and faster as passions were defined and new dreams awakened that had lain buried for a long time under the guise of the impossible.  Excitement surged through my being and hope for the future was restored!  Suddenly, I wanted to be a lion chaser in the Kingdom of God!  To dream big, take risks as God leads, and trust Him for the impossible... 

A few days later found me at my computer typing out the following lists:

Passions Defined:

•   Teaching the Bible and discipling others (especially teenage girls)
•   Evangelizing
•   Homeschooling
•   Seeing women/girls choose life for their babies
•   Missionary work around the globe
•   Orphans being adopted
•   Supporting busy mothers in their noble work of homemaking and nurturing children
•   Writing to encourage others
•   Godly music
•   Healthy lifestyle
•   Bringing beauty and order to a home environment

Dreams for Future Learning:

•   Teaching English as a second language as a vehicle for sharing the Gospel
•   The job of an ultrasound technician for use at crisis pregnancy centers
•   Basic midwifery/doula skills
•   Gardening
•   Photography
•   Playing the guitar

Dreams for Future Doing:

•   Running a haven home for missionaries where they can stay for free while on furlough and be refreshed; one that would include a big garden for soul nourishment
•   Publishing a book
•   Acting in a Christian movie
•   Becoming an advocate for orphan adoption
•   Sponsoring orphan children in other countries
•   Visiting Prince Edward Island, the Swiss Alps, Montana, and a tropical paradise
•   Getting married and discipling my children in the Lord’s ways (possibly adopting if God so led) 

I know that not all of these dreams are going to be accomplished in one week, one month, or even one year!  “A dream becomes reality one opportunity at a time...” Batterson encourages. And of course, to everything there is a time and a season.  Perhaps it will take a lifetime to accomplish these goals.  And maybe some won’t ever make it past the bullet point on my list.  I also recognize that a few of these dreams probably look far-fetched.  After all, where does a girl like me with no fixed salary get enough money to buy a home for missionaries?  And acting in a Christian movie?  I don’t even know any directors!

Yet, as a lion chaser, I am no longer limited to the logical!  I know that God can do anything.  The more impossible, the more He gets excited!  He says, “Trust in Me, and I will direct your paths.  (Proverbs 3:5) Delight in Me, and I will give you the desires of Your heart. (Psalm 37:4)  Chase lions with courage and faith and I will do exceeding abundantly above all that you could ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)”

Come to think of it, God has already been very faithful to make many dreams come true in my life.  How can I not trust Him for more?

Before reading In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, I probably would have looked at a list of future dreams such as the one written above and laughed with just a hint of incredulity.  Me?  Do all that?  In one lifetime?  Isn’t that shooting for the stars just a little too much?

But then I think of Benjamin Franklin.  Ever since reading his biography in high school, I have been amazed at how one man could do so much in an average lifespan.

Wikipedia defines Ben Franklin as: an author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, diplomat, governor, and Founding Father.  His inventions included the lighting rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass armonica (a musical instrument) which he played along with the violin, harp, and guitar.  Benjamin Franklin formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania, established a hospital, and reformed the postal system, organized the Pennsylvania militia and was very influential in the American Revolution.  He served as an ambassador to France, participated in the Continental Congress, and is known nation-wide as a signer of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution.

Whew!  Are you tired yet?  I often wondered when the man ever slept!  He must have been an expert at using his time efficiently.  Yet, despite all these impressive achievements, Ben Franklin chased lions in the wrong camp.  Even though he had a Puritan upbringing, he veered drastically from the Truth as an adult, choosing instead to embrace religious beliefs that left Jesus Christ out of the equation and looked to his own virtues to save his soul.  Thus, when Ben Franklin’s earthly life ended and he stood before the judgment seat of Christ, all his amazing accomplishments amounted to...nothing.

As the famous poem says:

           Only one life

       ‘Twill soon be past

     Only what’s done for Christ

            Will last.

So I think to myself, if a non-Christian with very mixed-up views on truth could accomplish so much and live his life with such vision and purpose, how much more can we as Christians do the same, but with the purpose in life that really matters: Glorifying God.

I agree with Mark Batterson when he says,“I’m concerned that the church has turned into a bunker where we seek shelter when we’re actually called to storm the gates of hell.”  How often it seems we limit God, content to stay in our comfortable pews singing hymns and listening to sermons but not really DOING much for the Kingdom agenda!  The Bible makes it clear that we are to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only.”

Too often, Christians seem content to merely follow along the “normal” path of life the world has mapped out: Get an education.  Get a job.  Advance in career.  Get married.  Have a few children.  Make sure they make it to adulthood okay.  Retire.  Die.

Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this model.  I’m simply suggesting that we think outside the box, ask God for big dreams, seize opportunities, be willing to take risks, accomplish much for Christ with this one life we’re given, and turn this world upside down with the life-transforming message of the Gospel!

As I began to formulate ideas for this article, several other lion chasers came to mind who, unlike Ben Franklin, were Christ-followers who dared to pursue dreams, trusted God for the results, and often experienced much more than they initially had in mind!

I think of George Muller.  A German-born, ruffian-turned-preacher who moved to England as a missionary, George had a passion for spreading the Gospel and teaching the Bible.  As he busily engaged in the work of pastoring a church and establishing schools for Bible training, he noticed the distressing plight of orphans and street children on the streets of Bristol.  Burdened by the dire needs of these forgotten little ones George dared to ask God for a home where these children could be sheltered, cared for, and educated in a Godly, loving environment.  But George Muller’s motivation was not merely the care of orphans.  He desperately wanted to prove to a watching world that God still answered prayer and could be trusted for even the smallest everyday needs.  Thus, he determined to never ask anyone for funding.  Instead, he took everything to the Lord in prayer, telling God and God alone of his needs.  The results were astounding.  By the end of his life, George Muller had received the equivalent of millions of dollars all by God’s answers to his prayers, had cared for more than 10,000 orphans in five homes, supported missionaries in all corners of the world, distributed millions of Bible and tracts, and saw hundreds of thousands of people educated in his Scriptural Knowledge Institution schools.  A lion chaser for sure, who defied the odds and brought God much glory by his unwavering faith!

I think of Gladys Aylward, an English-born parlor maid who had a burning desire to be a missionary in China.  People told her she couldn’t do it, and formal mission agencies turned her away based on lack of qualifications.  But nothing would stop Gladys from pursuing her God-ordained dream and passion!  With little money in her pocket, she made the long journey to China where she worked hard to learn the language and befriend the people.  Eventually, under the auspices of Royal Foot Inspector by command of the local Chinese magistrate, she was able to travel extensively to villages all around the region freeing little girls from a cruel and painful custom and sharing the Gospel message with anyone who would listen to her.  Along the way, she adopted orphans.  When war threatened the lives of her family and many other homeless children around, Gladys led them all on a long, arduous journey over the mountains to safety.  In the face of all the odds she constantly came up against, God brought her through and received the glory. 

I think of Katie Davis, a former homecoming queen from Tennessee who, at the age of 19, gave up a popular life, flashy sports car, and chance for a college education at any university in America to pursue a dream of ministering to the least of these in Uganda.  Her just-released biography, Kisses From Katie, tells the fascinating story of how God is using her, an ordinary American girl, to touch hearts and change lives in profound ways.  Although Katie initially went to Uganda to teach kindergarten to underprivileged children, she quickly found herself serving the Lord as an adoptive mother to 14 girls, village nurse, and founder of Amazima Ministries, a non-profit organization which provides food and education to hundreds of poor children.  Everywhere she goes, she shares the love of Jesus.  Katie, now 23, is still pursuing her God-ordained dream and watching in amazement as He does the extraordinary through her obedience.

I think of Alex Kendrick.  A man with a dream to make movies that glorify God and serve as a vehicle for advancing His Kingdom.  With his pastor’s approval and his church’s participation, Alex, along with his brother, Stephen, set out to pursue that dream and chase that lion.  I’m sure you all know the results.  In fact, a number of you probably sat in a theater recently watching those results unfold before you as their latest movie, Courageous, swept the country with its compelling message about Christian fatherhood.  People said they couldn’t do it.  God probably just grinned.  Sherwood Pictures is now one of the leading Christian movie production companies, turning out films that are not only excellent in quality but profound in story content, touching lives and turning people to the Lord all over the globe.

As Mark Batterson states, 

“Obedience is a willingness to do whatever, whenever, wherever God calls us.  And that looks very different for each of us.  It doesn’t always necessitate going half-way around the world.  Often the most courageous actions only require us going across the room or across the street...You will have plenty of God-ordained opportunities.  Your job is to see and seize these opportunities by tuning in to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.  And you’ll be amazed at the way those spirit-whispers get you where God wants you to go...”

So, dear readers...are you ready to become a lion chaser?  To dream big?  To seize opportunities that come roaring (even if they look like five-hundred-pound problems)?  To trust God for the seemingly impossible?  To live your one life in a way that matters with eternity in view and God’s glory your mission? 

May God give us all the courage of Benaiah and the faith to chase His dreams for our lives!

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Learning to Be a Lion-Chaser {Part 1}

{by Katrina Rebsch}

It was sometime toward the end of September.  Hepatitis A had made a ruthless sweep through the children’s orphanage where I am currently living and I had fallen prey to its debilitating clutches.  At the same time I became ill, dreams I had surrounding a certain young man in a country far away and the possibility of a future together shattered into pieces.  So there I was in the isolation ward of my own room, feeling sad, lonely for my parents, bored, and just a tiny bit hopeless as I thought about the future. 

In my desperation for something to do, I rummaged through the bottom cupboard of my nightstand just in case there was an interesting book left behind by another volunteer that I had overlooked in my past searches.  A book that might, for a time, provide a cure for my cabin fever.

Bypassing the Spanish grammar books, Pride and Prejudice (already read it three times) and a novel by John Grisham, my eyes lighted upon a slim paperback with the curious title, In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day.  For some reason, it had never piqued my interest before.  After all, I had never heard of it nor the author, Mark Batterson.  But this time, with nothing better to do, I decided to at least open the cover and find out what the book was about.

I began reading....and reading...and reading.  Within the first paragraph, I realized I had (providentially) happened upon a literary treasure!  I found the author’s candid, colorful writing style immediately engaging and his content intriguing. In 24 hours flat, I had finished the entire book and was eager to read it again.  It introduced me to a new hero of the Bible I had never heard of, encouraged me to start dreaming again, and taught me what it means to be a lion chaser in the Kingdom of God. 

An obscure passage in the Old Testament forms the basis for the entire book.  In all my years of being a Christian and a student of the Word, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed this passage that has now influenced my life so greatly.

“There was also Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel.  He did many heroic deeds which included killing two of Moab’s mightiest warriors.  Another time he chased a lion down into a pit.  Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it.  Another time, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear.  Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.”  (II Samuel 23:20-21) 

In case you missed the significance of Benaiah’s unusual and incredible feat, here’s author Mark Batterson’s retelling of the account:

“Out of the corner of his eye, Benaiah sees something crawling.  I don’t know how far away the lion is - and their vision is probably obscured by falling snow and frozen breath - but there is a moment when Benaiah and the lion lock eyes.  Pupils dilate.  Muscles tense.  Adrenaline rushes.  

Usually, when the image of a man-eating beast travels through the optical nerve and registers in the visual cortex, the brain has one over-arching message:  Run away!

But not this time!  Almost as improbable as falling up or the second hand on your watch moving counter clockwise, the lion turns tail and Benaiah gives chase.

Lions can run up to thirty-five miles per hour and leap thirty feet in a single bound.  Benaiah doesn’t stand a chance, but that doesn’t keep him from giving chase.  Then the lion makes one critical misstep.  The ground gives away beneath his five-hundred-pound frame, and he falls down a steep embankment into a snow-laden pit.  

Almost like walking on thin ice, Benaiah measures every step.  He inches up to the edge and peers into the pit.  Menacing yellow eyes stare back. 

Have you ever had one of those moments where you do something crazy and ask yourself in retrospect: What was I thinking?  This had to be one of those moments for Benaiah.  Who in their right mind chases lions?  But Benaiah now has a moment to collect his thoughts, regain his sanity, and get a grip on reality.  And the reality is this:  Normal people don’t chase lions. 

So Benaiah turns and walks away. 

But Benaiah isn’t walking away.  He’s getting a running start.  [He] runs at the pit and takes a flying leap of faith.

Benaiah and the lion disappear into the recesses of the pit.  A deafening roar echoes in the cavernous pit.  And bloodcurdling battle cry pierces the soul.

Then dead silence.

After a few agonzing moments of suspense, the shadow of a human form appears as Benaiah climbs out of the pit.  The blood from his wounds drips on the freshly fallen snow.  Claw marks crisscross his face and spear arm. But Benaiah wins one of the most improbable victories recorded in the pages of Scripture.” 

Interestingly, the story of Benaiah doesn’t end there.  A few verses later, Scripture records that this brave fellow went on to become one of King David’s top-ranked mighty men and the person in charge of his bodyguard!  Towards the end of his life, Benaiah was even promoted to the position of commander-in-chief over the entire army of Israel under Solomon’s reign!

So what’s the point?  Why draw attention to this obscure little adventure story tucked away in the pages of II Samuel?  How does it affect you and me?  I mean, chances are, we aren’t exactly going to be encountering any lions in our backyard to chase.

Or are we?

In his book, Mark Batterson makes the case that God is looking for more lion chasers: people of faith who are always on the lookout to seize God-ordained opportunities by the mane (even if at first those opportunities look like five-hundred-pound problems waiting to eat them for lunch); people of courage who will dream God-sized dreams and then chase them, no matter how risky or how impossible the odds; people of humility who are willing to look foolish for the cause of Christ, knowing that, in the end, God will be glorified, His purposes accomplished, and rewards received in eternity.

First and foremost, lion chasers seek God (Hebrews 11:6).  As they come to know Him personally and intimately, they learn that He is infinitely great and worthy to be obeyed, trusted, and glorified.  They rest in God’s sovereignty of being the One who has prepared in advance good works (and maybe even heroic deeds) for them to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10).  Rooted in this firm sense of destiny, they don’t let their fears or doubts keep them from doing what God has called them to do or from embracing the dreams God has given them to live. 

I don’t know that Benaiah necessarily set his sights on becoming one of David’s mighty men or the head soldier in his personal body-guard.  Perhaps so.  As a military leader, though, it wouldn’t surprise me if he did dream of climbing the ranks to commander-in-chief!  What we do know, is that his willingness to courageously take the opportunities God gave him, even in very difficult situations, prepared the way for future victories, a brilliant military career, and the honor of having his story recorded forever in the pages of Scripture.

"Seeing and seizing opportunities is an overlooked and under-appreciated dimension of spiritual maturity.” Batterson points out.  "But there is a catch.  The aphorism is wrong.  Opportunity doesn’t knock.  Opportunity roars!  Most of us want our opportunities nicely packaged and presented to us as a gift we simply have to unwrap.  We want our lions stuffed or caged or cooked medium well and served on a silver platter.  But opportunities typically present themselves at the most inopportune times in the most inopportune place.

The two Moabites didn’t schedule an appointment with Benaiah’s assistant.  The Egyptian didn’t knock on the door.  He knocked down the door.  And the lion didn’t roll over and play dead.  Here is the great irony about opportunities.  They usually come disguised as insurmountable problems.  They look like five-hundred-pound lions that want to eat your for lunch.

To the average person, the circumstances presented to Benaiah were problems to run away from, not opportunities to be seized.  [But] Benaiah didn’t see a five-hundred-pound problem.  He saw a lion skin hanging in his tent."

Batterson goes on to say, 

“Lion chasers are the kind of people who rise to the occasion.  Lion chasers are the kind of people who refuse to be intimidated by Moabites or Philistines.  Lion chasers play to win.  They fight for what they believe in.  They don’t live life sitting back on their heels.  They live life on the tip of their toes waiting to see what God is going to do next.” 

“What sets lion-chasers apart isn’t the outcome.  It’s the courage to chase God-sized dreams.  Lion chasers don’t let their fears or doubts keep them from doing what God has called them to do.  Lion chasers know God is bigger and more powerful than any problem they face in this world.  They thrive in the toughest circumstances because they know that impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles.”

I think it was this point that really stuck out to me.  God loves impossible odds.

Think about it for a minute.  We see in the accounts of Gideon, David and Goliath, the Battle of Jericho, the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, and the feeding of the five thousand (just to name a few out of a hundred) that God loves doing the impossible, and in fact, commanded it on several occasions!  Why?  Because then He gets to be the Hero!  He gets to be the One who receives the accolades and the praise.  And in the process, our faith in Him is strengthened, prompting us to trust Him for more impossibilities.  

“It honestly doesn’t matter how many Moabites you’re facing.” Batterson states.  “It doesn’t matter how tall the Egyptian giant is.  And the size of the lion isn’t really the issue.  The issue is this:  How big is your God?” 

As I finished my second read-through of this book, more slowly this time in order to better digest the content, the wheels in my heart and mind began turning.  Slowly at first, then faster and faster as passions were defined and new dreams awakened that had lain buried for a long time under the guise of the impossible.  Excitement surged through my being and hope for the future was restored!  Suddenly, I wanted to be a lion chaser in the Kingdom of God!  To dream big, take risks as God leads, and trust Him for the impossible. 

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