Ed Bahler’s Blog…To Enhance Ministry

In his new book Wild Goose Chase, Mark Batterson asks,

“Do angels yawn? More important, I wonder if some of us live such safe lives that not only are we bored, but so are our guardian angels. If they could, would our guardian angels coax us out of our safe cages and beg us to give them something dangerous to do?”

Mark goes on to share how the Celtic Christians had an intriguing name for the Holy Spirit. They called Him An Geadh-Glas, or “the Wild Goose.” At first glance the name may sound a bit sacrilegious, but it hints at the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit . Much like a wild goose, the Holy Spirit cannot be tracked or tamed and has an element of danger and an air of unpredictability surrounding Him.

The Celtic Christians may be on to something here. Maybe we have clipped the wings of the Wild Goose and settled for something less - much less - than what God originally intended for us. Since when did it become safe to follow Christ? Maybe it’s time to come out of the cage and live dangerously for His cause.

If we choose safety and forfeit the adventure God has destined for us, we aren’t the only ones who lose. Who might not hear about the love of God, be stuck in poverty, in ignorance, or pain, if we aren’t there to help free them? Jesus’ disciples didn’t just live an exciting life post-Pentecost; they turned the world upside down. Wild Goose Chase is an invitation to be a part of a something bigger and more important than us.

As I ponder Mark’s challenge I’m reminded of a comment Beth Moore shared at a recent conference. Her daughters are not as concerned with how much she knows but with her desire to grow & keep it real. I sense our kids secretly long for us to chase the Wild Goose Mark writes about. They want to share in something bigger and more important than any of us!

Mark closes with these challenges:

• Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
• Set God sized goals.
• Don’t let fear dictate your decisions.
• Don’t take the easy way out.
• Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God.
• Celebrate your failures.
• Don’t make a living, make a life.
• And quit putting eight foot ceilings on what God can do!

You may want to read this one if your too comfortable and sense the Wild Goose is beckoning you. Purchase it at Amazon.

Click here to learn more about the book and Mark Batterson .