Chase the Lion

1. Chase Your God-Sized Dreams with Courage

"If your dream doesn't scare you, it's too small."

Bold faith in action. Chasing God-sized dreams requires courage to face fears and take risks. Like Benaiah, who chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day, we must confront our challenges head-on. This act of bravery isn't recklessness, but a calculated risk taken in pursuit of a greater purpose.

Overcoming obstacles. God-sized dreams often seem impossible at first glance. They require divine intervention and push us beyond our natural abilities. By stepping out in faith, we position ourselves for God to work miracles in our lives. This journey of faith builds character, deepens our reliance on God, and ultimately leads to personal growth and spiritual maturity.

2. Embrace the Power of Defining Moments

"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in."

Recognizing pivotal experiences. Our lives are shaped by defining moments that often seem insignificant at the time. These experiences can be as simple as reading a book, hearing a sermon, or having a conversation that plants a seed for future dreams and aspirations.

Leveraging key opportunities. When we identify these moments, we can harness their power to propel us towards our goals. Like Benaiah's encounter with the lion, or David's anointing by Samuel, these experiences become turning points that set the stage for future success. By staying alert and open to God's guidance, we position ourselves to recognize and act upon these life-changing opportunities.

3. Cultivate a Lion Chaser's Mindset

"Lion chasers don't run away from what they're afraid of; they run toward the roar."

Embrace challenges. A lion chaser's mindset involves actively seeking out difficult situations and viewing them as opportunities for growth. Instead of avoiding obstacles, we should approach them with determination and faith.

Develop resilience. This mindset requires:

• Persistence in the face of setbacks
• Willingness to take calculated risks
• Confidence in God's provision and guidance
• Ability to see potential where others see problems

By cultivating this attitude, we transform our approach to life's challenges and position ourselves to achieve extraordinary things.

4. Turn Disadvantages into Opportunities

"Sometimes the circumstances we're trying to change are the very circumstances God is using to change us."

Reframe obstacles. What appears to be a disadvantage can often be transformed into an opportunity for growth and success. Like Benaiah using the snowy conditions to track the lion's paw prints, we can find creative ways to leverage our challenges.

Develop compensatory skills. Adversity often forces us to develop new abilities and approaches that we might not have discovered otherwise. These skills can become our greatest strengths and set us apart in our pursuits. By embracing our limitations and working to overcome them, we often unlock hidden potential and discover innovative solutions.

5. Surround Yourself with Fellow Dreamers

"If you want to dream bigger dreams, get around dreamers."

Power of community. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who share our passion and vision can exponentially increase our chances of success. These relationships provide:

• Encouragement and support
• Accountability
• Fresh perspectives and ideas
• Opportunities for collaboration

Create a dream team. Like David's mighty men, we need a group of people who are committed to our vision and willing to fight alongside us. This team can help us overcome obstacles, provide necessary skills and resources, and push us to reach our full potential.

6. Pursue Dreams That Benefit Others

"God-given dreams are more about others than they are about you."

Selfless motivation. True God-given dreams are not solely focused on personal gain but have a broader impact on others and society. These dreams often involve:

• Solving problems for communities
• Creating opportunities for the disadvantaged
• Advancing causes that align with God's heart

Legacy building. By pursuing dreams that benefit others, we create a lasting impact that extends beyond our own lives. This approach not only fulfills God's purpose for us but also leads to greater personal fulfillment and a sense of meaning in our work.

7. Think Long-Term and Act Quickly

"Considering long and acting quickly."

Strategic vision. Successful dreamers balance long-term thinking with decisive action. This approach involves:

• Setting ambitious, long-range goals
• Breaking these goals into actionable steps
• Being prepared to seize opportunities when they arise

Timely execution. While it's important to have a long-term perspective, we must also be willing to act swiftly when the moment is right. This balance of patience and urgency allows us to make progress towards our dreams while remaining flexible and responsive to changing circumstances.

8. Learn Leadership Through Service

"The best way to learn leadership is to serve under a gifted leader."

Apprenticeship model. True leadership is often developed through a period of serving and learning from others. This approach allows us to:

• Observe effective leadership in action
• Develop essential skills and knowledge
• Build character and humility

Value of experience. By starting in supportive roles, we gain invaluable insights and experiences that prepare us for future leadership opportunities. This period of service also helps us develop a deeper appreciation for teamwork and the various roles necessary for success.

9. Stay Humble and Hungry in Your Pursuit

"If you stay humble and stay hungry, there is nothing God cannot do in you or through you."

Maintain humility. Humility is essential for continued growth and success. It allows us to:

• Remain teachable and open to feedback
• Recognize our dependence on God and others
• Avoid the pitfalls of pride and arrogance

Cultivate hunger. Alongside humility, we must maintain a hunger for growth and achievement. This drive keeps us:

• Continually seeking new challenges
• Committed to personal and professional development
• Focused on our goals even in the face of setbacks

The combination of humility and hunger creates a powerful foundation for sustained success and impact.

10. Create a Ripple Effect Across Generations

"Your dream is setting up someone else's dream."

Generational impact. Our dreams and actions have the potential to influence not just our immediate surroundings but future generations as well. This perspective encourages us to:

• Think beyond our own lifetimes
• Invest in mentoring and developing others
• Create lasting systems and structures that outlive us

Planting seeds. Like a single seed that grows into a vast forest, our dreams and efforts can multiply exponentially over time. By focusing on creating a positive legacy, we contribute to a chain reaction of impact that extends far beyond our initial vision.

Last updated: September 9, 2024