“Don’t accumulate possessions; accumulate experiences.”- Mark Batterson
Mark Batterson begins Chapter 12 (“Run to the Roar”) of Chase the Lion with a question. Mark wonders: “Are you living your life in a way that is worth talking about?”
Sadly, the author notes, most people spend their lives accumulating possessions. Hence, when earthly goods become your objective, you end up being possessed by those possessions. As Mark adds, a world of difference exists between making a living and making a life.
Therefore, in making a life, Pastor Batterson urges you to aim high. Even if you miss, that’s better than aiming low and hitting your target:
“Don’t settle for good. Seek God. And when you do, don’t be surprised when God does immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine.”
However, a concept called hindsight bias prevents us from accepting God’s providence. The author defines hindsight bias as the tendency to see a past event as having been predictable, even probable. As a result, we find it hard to imagine any outcome other than the actual one.
That especially rings true with familiar Bible stories we’ve heard hundreds of times. Rather than experiencing shock and awe, we assume the outcome. Thus, we tend to take miracles for granted.
Thus, the key challenge in your dream journey becomes discovering the voice of God. Mark explains how to do this:
“It starts with the word of God. If you want to get a word from God, get into the Word of God. . . . And when the Spirit of God quickens the Word of God, it’s like hearing the voice of God in Dolby surround sound.”
In conclusion, Mark cautions to get the facts before you take a step of faith. Due diligence honors God. Do your homework. Finally, Mark describes the role of faith:
“Faith . . . confronts the brutal facts with unwavering faith. It carefully counts the cost, then it adds almighty God into the final equation.”
Today’s question: How do you prioritize your life to accumulate experiences rather than possessions? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Cure for the fear of failure”
