“Legacy is incubating other people’s gifts and passions, dreams and ideas. . . . Not everyone considers themselves a dreamer. Some people are problem solvers. Either way, we have to exercise prophetic imagination. We bring supernatural solutions to the table. By faith, we do things that will make a difference long after we’re gone.”- Mark Batterson
“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”- Benjamin Mee, We Bought a Zoo (2011)
In Chapter 11 (“Dream Factory”) of Gradually Then Suddenly, Mark Batterson describes legacy as incubating other people’s gifts and passions, dreams and ideas. Therefore, Mark sees Ebenezers Coffeehouse as a prime example. Because he believes that something in Ebenezers’ coffee causes people to dream big, play hard, and think long.
Why? Ebenezers’ miraculous overstory spikes every cup. Above all, Pastor Batterson notes, thousands of people have made a pilgrimage to NCC’s coffeehouse after hearing the story of Mark circling a crack house for five long years. In addition, before NCC opened Ebenezers, they dedicated the building back to God. Consequently, they consecrated every square inch of the coffeehouse.
In conclusion, Pastor Batterson cites a line from the movie We Bought a Zoo. Benjamin Mee talks about twenty seconds of insane courage. So, Mark exhorts, it took twenty seconds of insane courage for:
- David to sling a stone.
- Benaiah to chase a lion into a pit on a snowy day.
- Peter to get out of the boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee.
- Zaccheus to climb a sycamore tree.
- Mary to break open the alabaster jar of perfume.
Thus, as C. S. Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters:
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues; but the form of every virtue at the testing point. Pilate was merciful till it became risky.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you exercise prophetic imagination? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Rise up and call you blessed?”
Special note: Today Crown crossed the 3 million visitor mark! Soli Deo gloria!