Lion Chasing - What?

"Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will look back longingly on risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path." -Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

This book changed the way I looked at all the opportunities I have faced and will face in my life. The book is based on the story of Benaiah. The story is found in 2 Samuel 23:20-21. This guy was crazy, in the best way possible. He was a warrior, no doubt. He once chased a lion down into a pit, on a snowy day, hence the title, and killed it. One of those lions with a big poofy mane and crazy sharp teeth. He just kills it like it's no big deal.

It is easy to see why the lion is called the king of beasts, because it is indeed a very powerful animal. I have read that a lion is able, with one blow of his paw, to smash the human skull just as you would break an egg. He would slap you and your skull would cave. Yet the bones of the skull are among the strongest structures of the body. A lion is able, with his teeth, to bite through any bone of the human body, including even the femur. With one crunch of those jaws he could smash that bone. And to face that kind of ferocious beast at close quarters is a tremendously daring thing to do. That is what Benaiah did.

In 1 Peter 5:8 it says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

It's safe to assume that is what the lion symbolized in the story of Benaiah in 2 Samuel. The lion was his biggest foe, his worst enemy, and Benaiah had to slay it. So he did.

To everyone else, I am almost positive a lion won't be the challenge you are to face. Then again, who knows, maybe it will be. The point is to take these challenges head on, never back down, and go the extra mile just to be sure that you have conquered whatever it is. It won't be easy. It won't be something that comes naturally. It probably won't be simple. But, you're strong. You're powerful. You're a warrior.

Good luck.