I’ve been reading this book by Mark Batterson (slowly) for several weeks. At first I was reading it slowly out of convenience; because I only had a few minutes here and there. But now I’m savoring it slowly like you eat the last piece of cheesecake in your fridge…I want to make sure I have something left tomorrow (and the next day for that matter). Every time I read a few pages I walk away feeling armed and ready to take the world by storm. There are too many good quotes in this book to list them all here, so I’ll just leave you with a few words from what I read today:
From Chapter 6: Playing it Safe is Risky
There are basically two approaches to life: playing to win and playing to not lose. Too many of us are tentatively playing the game of life as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.
Is anybody else tired of the church playing defense? Why is it that the church is known more for what we’re against than what we’re for? Why does it seem like the church is always in a defensive posture? Maybe it’s time for Christ followers to put on crash helmets and play offense.
We need to stop criticizing culture and start creating it. Paul didn’t boycott Aeropagus. He didn’t stand outside with a picket sign: “Athenian Idolaters Are Going to Hell in a Hand Basket.” Paul wasn’t playing to lose. Paul was playing to win, so he went toe-to-toe with some of the greatest philosophical minds in the ancient world. Paul competed for the truth on their turf.
Instead of complaining about the current state of affairs, we need to offer better alternatives. We need to make better movies and better music. We need to write better books. We need to start better schools and better businesses. As the old aphorism suggests, we need to stop cursing the darkness and start lighting some candles!
In the words of Michelangelo, we need to criticize by creating. And you can’t create without taking a calculated risk.
Hopefully that wets your appetite. Now go buy (and read) the book! If that’s not enough for you, Mark Batterson will be speaking at Northway Church on August 18th and 19th.
I just finished Mark’s book…amazing. After growing up in a traditional Baptist Church, you definately have a totally different mindset. I thank God everyday for what I have learned @ Northway…how I look at my walk with Christ in a new way…anyway, then I see that mindset in Mark’s book, Ed Young’s ministry and books, etc. I am thankful my kids are growing up in this environment.
Now I am asking God everyday how I can step out of that comfort zone…look for opportunities, risks, etc.