In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day

I’m currently reading “one of those books”.  It’s one of those books that makes you hold the mirror up to yourself and go…hmm.  Mark Batterson who is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C.  He wrote an entire book on an obscure passage of scripture found in 2 Samuel 23:20-21.

There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel.  He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two of Moab’s mightiest warriors.  Another time he chased a lion down into a pit.  then, despite the now and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it.  Another time, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear.  Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.

First of all, who in the world picks out that verse to write a book on?  OK stupid question, obviously Mark Batterson.  That is a passage of scripture that I would never have circled and said, “that is powerful, I’m going to use that one day.”  However Mark saw something in that, that would shape today’s culture through the power of his words.  Later it goes on to say how Benaiah became the bodyguard for the King of Israel, David.

I said this last week to our teens, that we are too look for opportunities for greatness even in the midst of the worst situations.  I challenge you this week to look at that trial you are struggling with as an opportunity for greatness.  That maybe right around the corner from a lion, God has a bodyguard position ready for you.

“God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time.  But the right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time often seems like the wrong time.”  Spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities.