The grizzly was closing in on me. Where did it come from? It just appeared out of nowhere. I was panicked. Where could I go? What could I do? The fear gushing out of the deepest part of my chest felt like it would kill me, let alone what the bear would do.
At a death-inspired pace I sprinted into the only safe place I could find – a shopping mall. As I ran for cover in and out of the stores the Grizzly continued to stalk me. What does it want? Why is it only pursuing me?
I made my way out of the mall and down into the parking area where I got into my car. I raced out of the parkade with the bear in hot pursuit. It caught up to me on the highway and began to ram into the side of my car. It was trying to force me off the road. What kind of bear is this? What is it after? Why is it relentlessly pursuing me?
And then I woke up.
What was that? What kind of dream did I just have?
I asked the Lord about the dream. I talked to some trusted friends to get their thoughts. Here’s what I believe the Lord was saying to me…
“Don’t run away from the masculine strength and courage I have for you. There is more in my heart for you than you realize. Don’t run away from my purposes in your life. Embrace the strength and courage I have for you. It may terrify you, but I am with you.”
Over 25 years ago the Lord spoke that to me. Anne gave me a 20 inch sculpture of a Grizzly bear I keep in my office. It reminds me to embrace the masculine strength and courage I need to walk in the purposes the Lord has for me, and for others through me.
Yes, it takes strength and courage to partner with Jesus in the epic adventure of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
Neither you nor I can wholeheartedly partner with Jesus without choosing strength and courage. Typically what He asks us to do with Him can be terrifying – or should I say “exhilifying”. (Exhilarating and terrifying). The dreams He puts in your heart will scare you because without Him it’s impossible.
I read something this week that reminded me of this: the Lion Chaser’s Manifesto by Mark Batterson. Lion Chasers are men who run into their fears. They chase down opportunity. Lion chasers wholeheartedly pursue the purposes of God. Just like Benaiah son of Jehoiada, one of David’s mighty men, who went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
I have not yet read Mark’s book, Chasing the Lion, but I love the manifesto:
“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Run to the roar.
Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-given passions.
Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.
Stop pointing out problems. Become part of the solution.
Stop repeating the past. Start creating the future.
Face your fears. Fight for your dreams.
Grab opportunity by the mane and don’t let go!
Live like today is the first day and last day of your life.
Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails.
Live for the applause of nail-scarred hands.
Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God.
Dare to fail. Dare to be different.
Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the lion.”
Take some time to digest this, it is rich with meaning and meat.
May we be men who embrace the strength and courage the Lord has invited us into. May we not run away from what we find terrifying, but run into our fears knowing the Lord is bigger than that which intimidates and terrifies us.
Be strong and courageous. The Lord your God is with you. He is able to do more than you can imagine – way more.
If your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough.
Embrace your strength and courage, and Chase the Lion.
2 Samuel 23:20
“Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.”
1 Corinthians 16:13, 14
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
1 Timothy 6:11
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”