Wild Goose Chase

by Missy Grant

I’ve been challenged by a book I read recently called Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. It is a good read on the Holy Spirit. One section of the book has a quote from Peter Marshall who is the former Chaplain of the United States Senate. The quote reads this way…

“I wonder what would happen if we all agreed to read one of the Gospels until we came to a place that told us to do something, then went out to do it, and only after we had done it, began reading again? There are aspects of the Gospel that are puzzling and difficult to understand. But our problems are not centered around the things we don’t understand, but rather in the things we do understand, the things we could not possibly misunderstand. Our problem is not so much that we don’t know what we should do. We know perfectly well, but we don’t want to do it.”

Hmmnn….how does that sit with you? What are your days like? Where is your focus? Are you in a season in which if you got up a little earlier you could start your day reading scripture – stopping at the spot that told you to do something – then did it? Have you ever given thought to how deeply the Lord desires to use you? Ask Him? Don’t try to create that which isn’t there. Maybe just respond to His word with, “Yes Lord.”

There is a national program which encourages purchasing at local independent companies called the 3/50 project. That is asking the question, “What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they went out of business?” Next, if every employed person spent $50 per month in an independently owned store the revenue would be above 40 billion dollars. Interesting concept.

How about we take this concept and apply it to sharing Christ. Stop right now and ask the Lord to give you three names of people He desires for you to share Christ with this week. Write it down….Commit to “spending money” in the bank of their heart. I’m sure they could use the deposit. As you read His word this week, stop at any action point and do it. Remember….the Lord has already gone before you and has paved the way. He is the great connector. Be brave, be bold, you are filled with the Holy Spirit, get out of its way and hold on….you are about to start a Wild Goose Chase.

“I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” Psalm 139:7-10

Amen.