CHAPPY’S PIT STOP

BE A VALIANT FIGHTER!

Words: Steve Hanson

2 SAMUEL 23:20 NIV Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

Does your stomach turn every time you hear certain sayings? Maybe you even liked them at one time, but now they are so over used you just want them to go away forever. These are some of mine: “too legit to quit,” “it’s a game changer,” “I’m just going to send it”, or our communities favorite “to win the race, first you have to finish the race!” As much as I hate to do it, I am going to bring back one of my least favorite phrases for this pit-stop; “go big or go home!”

If you have ever been to a few of my chapel services, chances are you have heard me reference warriors such as Benaiah, Jonathan’s battle at Michmash or my favorite, David’s fight against Goliath. I love the imagery of man versus the impossible and therefore forced to rely on God to intervene. You read about these Old Testament warriors and every time their back is against the wall, they lean on God and He always shows up. Never early, but never late!

The opening scripture refers to “a valiant fighter” named Benaiah. He is obviously a man of courage because he does not run from the lion; he goes into the pit to get it.

I know a little bit about hunting lions. Basics are, when man runs, lion chases and the King of the Beasts eats Manwich for lunch.

In every race victory, there comes a moment when you must quit racing as if the purpose is to arrive safely at the finish line. You have to go after that victory, you have to hate losing more than you like winning. A champion is not afraid to go after his/her dream even if it is destined to fail without divine intervention. “You have to go big or go home” or turn your back on your dreams.

If you find yourself eye-to-eye staring down a problem, a challenge, or discouragement, you have a decision to make. One that can or will determine your destiny. You can run from it, or like Benaiah, run after it! What is your “lion”, what is your “giant”? What are you going to do with it? Lean on God so you can face your fears, take that leap of faith, and chase down the lion!

I SAMUEL 17:48 NIV As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

“Courage is being scared to death—and saddling up anyway” --John Wayne