Crash Helmets

Below is an exert from "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snow Day" by Mark Batterson. It's 2 pages long and worth the read. This will inspire you today!!

There are basically two approaches to life; playing to win and playing not to lose. Can you guess which camp lion chasers fall into? Too many of us are tentatively playing the game of life as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely to death. We need to take our cues from the early believers who competed for the Kingdom.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it"--Matthew 11:12

There is nothing remotely passive about following Christ. Some of us approach our relationship with Christ like we're called to play "prevent defense" when we ought to be in a "two-minute offense." Some of us act like faithfulness is making no turnovers when faithfulness is scoring touchdowns. Faithfulness has nothing to do with maintaining the status quo or holding the fort. It has everything to do with competing for the Kingdom and storming the gates of hell. With a squirt gun, if necessary!

Is anybody else tired of the church playing defense? Why is it that the church is known more for what we're against than what we're for? Maybe it's time for Christ followers to put on the CRASH HELMETS and play offense.

God is raising up a generation of lion chasers that don't just run way from evil. God is raising up a generation of lion chasers that have the courage to compete for the Kingdom.

We need to stop criticizing culture and start creating it! Paul didn't boycott Aeropagus. he didn't stand outside with a picket sign "Athenian Idolaters are going to hell in a hand basket." Paul wasn't playing not to lose. Paul was playing to win, so he went toe to toe with some of the greatest philosophical minds in the ancient world. Paul competed for truth on their turf.

Instead of complaining about the current affairs, we need to offer better alternatives. We need to make better movies and better music. We need to write better books. We need to start better businesses. As the old aphorism suggests, "We need to stop cursing the darkness and start lighting some candles!"