In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars by Mark Batterson

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is a small and fast read, but a powerful one. Author Mark Batterson uses a briefly mentioned Old Testament character, Benaiah, and his courageous act as the basis for this book. 2 Samuel 23:20-21 states: “Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it”. Woven throughout the pages are lessons learned from this young man who went from lion chaser to King David’s chief military advisor.

We've all seen lion tamers, but lion chasers? That's just plain crazy. And yet that is what God is calling us to be…people who realize that Jesus did not die on the cross just to ensure that we could live safe lives. In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day dares us to go back to Biblical faith, which is risky, uncertain, and dangerous. But it always leads to God. As the book so powerfully states, “Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will look back longingly on risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.”

This book was first recommended to me by a friend and former semester missionary. As she began to share her notes from this book, I knew this was something I must read. After doing so, I found myself more reliant upon God, ready to face challenges with him by my side and willing to look at life in a different way. I then used this same material with our summer missionary staff for our weekly book/bible study. It was an incredible time of discussion and sharing as they spoke of how God used this book to help them face the challenges and obstacles of a summer spent far from home, of being ready to chase regrets they left behind and excitement in looking to the future in a new way. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is tired of being chased by past regrets and failures (Batterson states “If we learn from our mistakes, there is no failure”). Read about Benaiah and how God used his courage to prepare him for the path ahead. And as you read this small book, may God unleash the lion chaser within!!!!

Larry Leming
Missions Ministries Director 

 Check out http://chasethelion.com to read the first chapter and useful resources.