Wild Goose Chase: Chasing Angels

The pastor started a new series last week revolving around the book Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. So I thought that I would post my thoughts that follow the sermons which follow chapters in the book. In the first chapter, the author introduces the concept of the Holy Spirit as a "wild goose" and how our faith should be like chasing this "wild goose." He goes on to discuss the concept of caged Christians who get wrapped up in the rituals of religion and how people become bored with their faith. This is why we must step outside of our comfort zones and truly pursue the Holy Spirit (or God or Jesus Christ).

I become worried with being "caged" and wonder exactly how many people who follow Christ are bored with their faith. More importantly, how many people go to church on Sundays but have not accepted Christ? I bring this up because that was me as you will learn when I post my testimony. I know that there are many people who say that they follow Christ but do not have Christ in their heart. Now that issue is between them and God. No human can ever know another human's true relationship with God. You can share your faith, but ultimately it is between you and God.

Now back to this "wild goose"....

The author mentions 6 cages that keep us from pursuing the Holy Spirit

1) Cage of responsibility: becoming wrapped up in my day-to-day activities (definitely me)
- I get wrapped up with work and often put my faith on the backburners
- I know I need to make time for God. Shoot, He died for me!

2) Cage of routine: sacred routines become empty rituals
- I would encourage people to try something new with their faith
- Go on that mission trip. Share your faith with those outside your church. Start a small group.
- If you get an idea of something you'd like to do, just do it (like this blog)

3) Cage of assumption: developing poor excuses: too young, old, under/overqualified
- This is kind of ridiculous. No matter what you claim to be, you are a child of God.

4) Cage of guilt: focusing on what you've done wrong
- This is very ridiculous. Christ died for your sins!
- Col 1:22-23: "21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel."

5) Cage of failure: feeling not good enough, like you can't do it alone
- Well, you can't.... I'm sorry.
- You can save a dog, save a whale, save the environment, but you will never be able to save yourself
6) Cage of fear: not stepping out of our comfort zone with our faith, living too safely
- This is something that I need to work on.
- I know in my heart that I am saved. I could simply dwell on that, live my life, and go to heaven, but I could serve God by sharing my faith with others and bringing them to Christ.

More importantly, I do not want to be like the rich, young man in Matthew 19:16-30

The Rich Young Man

16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

18"Which ones?" the man inquired.

Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,'^[d] and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'^[e]"

20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"

26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother^[f] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

I say that I don't want to be like this rich, young man in that I don't want to turn away from the Holy Spirit if and when I am called. It is easy to say that I want to give everything to Christ but I truly don't know if I could do it. Am I weak in my faith? Maybe. Have I been asked to give all that I have and follow Him? No. I have given my life to Him. More importantly, why should I wait for the call? Why not pursue the Holy Spirit and discover my calling? Alone, that would be a hopeless quest, or a "wild goose chase." With Christ, well, that would be an amazing ride...