I finished the book Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson today and I totally recommend it! It talks about the six cages that we get stuck in, which keep us from chasing the Wild Goose, also known as the Holy Spirit to most. I am convinced that I was created to chase the Wild Goose. I get excited just thinking about the adventure! I am not going to let myself get trapped in the cages of responsibility, routine, assumptions, guilt, failure, or fear. I want to take on this life of spiritual adventure that I was made for.
According to Batterson, and most of the things I have read about in scripture, “Until we come out of whatever cage holds us back, we will live unfruitful and unfulfilled lives. But start chasing the Wild Goose and you will come alive in ways you’ve never previously experienced. Real life and real adventure begins the moment you are born of the Spirit and begin chasing the Wild Goose.” I am so thankful that I read this book because it asked me a lot of deep questions about my chase. God did a work in my heart when it comes to the six cages. Here are some guidelinesto live by that I took from it:
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
Set God-sized goals.
Pursue God-ordained passions.
Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.
Don’t let fear dictate your decisions.
Don’t take the easy way out.
Don’t maintain the status quo.
Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution.
Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.
Step plaing not to lose and start playing to win.
Expand your horizons.
Create some margins.
Take off your sandals.
Dare to dream great things for God.
Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.
Live today like it is the first day and the last day of your life.
Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God.
Burn sinful bridges.
Challenge old assumptions.
Blaze new trails.
Don’t stop making mistakes.
Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself.
Don’t make a living. Make a life.
Don’t look for the path of least resistance.
The hard way is the best way.
Quit living as if the will of God is an insurance plan.
Quit making excuses.
Quit playing defense. Play offense.
And quit putting eight-foot ceilings on what God can do.
Chase the Wild Goose (Holy Spirit)!
You’ll find these in Wild Goose Chase, by Mark Battherson. Check it out if you are feeling what I’m feeling! It’s good stuff and a short read!
If you are looking for an adventure, then come of out the cage and chase the Goose! Jesus didn’t die for us to go on living comfortably; he wants us to embark on a spiritual adventure of a lifetime. He gave us one of the biggest visions/dreams to fulfill, go make disciples of every nation. He didn’t die to tame us but rather to make us daring. There are no promises of safety or certainty but living this kind of life, always seeking the next move of the Wild Goose, will lead to the most fulfillment. Lately I have been encouraged to take on something so big that it would fail unless the Lord steps in. Why would I try to do anything less than God-sized things? Dreaming, setting goals, and living in dependence on Him will keep me on my knees, which is right where He wants me. I will trust and chase the Wild Goose!
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what the Lord has prepared for those who love him.” 2 Corinthians 2:9
(Photos by Lori Vieth, Urban Willow Photography)
