“In my experience, intellectual analysis usually results in spiritual paralysis. We try to make God fit within the confines of our cerebral cortex. We try to reduce the will of God to the logical limits of our left brain. But the will of God is neither logical nor linear.”- Mark Batterson
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it’s going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”- John 3:8 (NIV)
“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”- Helen Keller
In Chapter 1 (“Yawning Angels: Living a Life of Spiritual Adventure”) of Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God, Mark Batterson states that Celtic Christians named the Holy Spirit An Geadh-Glas. The Wild Goose . Also, Pastor Batterson believes that name best describes what it’s like to pursue the Holy Spirit’s leading through life.
Certainly, Mark understands, the term wild goose chase most often refers to a purposeless endeavor without a specified destination. But chasing the Wild Goose differs. For even when the promptings of the Holy Spirit seem pointless to us, God’s working His plan. And chasing the Wild Goose takes you to place you never could have imagined via paths you never knew existed!
However, we find circumstantial uncertainty rattles our faith. It’s unsettling to have no idea where you’re going most of the time. Yet, that feeling goes by another name – adventure.
Finally, at the outset of this book, the author issues a Wild Goose warning:
“Nothing is more unnerving or disorienting than passionately pursuing God. And the sooner we come to terms with that spiritual reality, the more we will enjoy the journey. I cannot, in good conscience, promise safety or certainty. But I can promise that chasing the Wild Goose will be anything but boring (emphasis Mark’s).”
Today’s question: How often do you find yourself relying too much on intellectual analysis? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Inverted Christianity – settling for something less”
