Run Towards The Roar

Benaiah son of Jehoiada, 
a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, 
performed great exploits.  
He struck down Moab's two mightiest warriors.  He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 
- 1 Chron. 11:22

Benaiah has to be one of my favorite Biblical characters, even though he doesn't get much publicity.

Here's why...
If I could fake hippiness for a moment

Benaiah did work.
Day in, day out...

He was grinding.
Sharpening.
Sweating.

...and listening.

One day Benny hears a roar in the 'hood.  The kinda roar that comes from the kinda things that have a tendency to ruin one's day.

The kinda roar that kills dreams...
Paralyzes with fear...
Makes you a loser long before the game begins...

The kinda roar that makes you walk away from the fight...
and then echoes in your soul for the rest of your life.

The kinda roar that announces "this is your moment"

Benaiah seized that moment
Jumped into the pit.  Chased the lion.  Did work.

Benaiah ran towards the roar


Every day we will hear the echoes of the roars around us
Every day we will have a moment - to run towards, or run from

Know the funny thing?  The 'roar' wants none of you
It's banking on you getting scared, giving up, backing down

It's trying to get you to think you've messed up too badly
That you just aren't good enough...
Strong enough...
Talented enough...

School's too small, game's too weak, dream's too big...

That's just the roar and that roar wants none of you
Run towards the roar

Benaiah's name means 'God has built'
How cool is that...?

Benny did all the grinding and prepping - but God has built
Makes me think that even the roars we hear - God has built

Because He knows we're ready
Because He knows we've prepped
Because He knows we might be a little scared...
...but He knows He has built this moment

Take me out the game coach

I don't wanna play no mo

If can't give it all I got and leave it out there on the court

Thank you for the Grace for the will and the desire

Got me living for your glory stead of living to retire

But I pray I'll never tire of going hard for Messiah

I don't need no motivation, You the reason I'm inspired.

Go Hard - Lecrae

Hear that roar?

That's the sound of your moment

Go do work

Write your story

Run Towards The Roar

A Little Healthy Tension...

I live in an old house...
Old house with old doors and door locks...

So one day...

The door to the bathroom decides that it no longer wishes to latch to the doorframe.

And all at once, our family became a lot less modest.


C'mon...
I live in a house with 4 women.
My time in the bathroom is the closest thing I have to 'man-cave' time.

And yet, I didn't even try to fix it.  Just figured it was over my head.  Not my skill set.
Went as far as looking at buying a whole new door.  Classic.
Don't address the issue...
Run from it.

Then came the day when I couldn't run anymore.  I needed a bathroom door that would latch.
I needed a victory.

So I tore into the lock.
Pieces exploded everywhere.
I felt overwhelmed.

Then I took apart another door latch that was working properly.
I studied a working model.

A simple spring was out of its groove.
The latch could no longer properly manage tension.

How many times have we been unable to latch on and be our best because we don't manage tension properly?

Highlight Reel

My high school alma mater's boys basketball team is on quite a journey.  As one of 4 teams in their class remaining, they play next week for a spot in the Indiana state championship game.
I won't even try to explain that to you non-Hoosiers out there.

Trust me...
It's a big deal.

They are an incredibly talented group of young men who have worked hard, as individuals, and as a team.  They never quit.
They have been a joy to watch this season.

But for all the jaw-dropping, ankle-breaking, make you hum the SportsCenter theme song in your head moments I've witnessed, my favorite one actually happens long before the opening tip.

In the midst of hip-hop music, raucous cheer blocks, and bitter rivalries, one young man drops to one knee and bows his head.

I'm sure he visualizes the game ahead, playing out mentally his role.
I'm sure he talks to himself...
You've worked hard...
You belong here... 

And I'm sure he prays to the God he has committed to give glory to.

Whether the shots fall for him...or don't
Whether the calls go his way...or not
Whether the final buzzer brings victory...or defeat

He prays and thanks God for this moment
For this opportunity
For the chance to follow his dream...the one this God has given him

I get chills every time I see this moment
In all things give Him glory
In all things give Him praise
And in all things...pray that God gives you the opportunity to make much of Him

I've been in some battles of late
And I have been lax in my prayers
I needed a high school ball player to remind me what matters most, what must come before anything...
To be in God's presence - before the battle rages

Thanks No. 32 for reminding me...
Write your story...
What I've seen so far has already made my highlight reel