Lion Chasers

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Picture of Lindsay Rowe
Lindsay Rowe
Colonel Lindsay Rowe is an officer/pastor within The Salvation Army. He holds a BA honours degree in religious studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he was awarded the university medal for academic excellence in religious studies, and a master of divinity in educational ministries from Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto. In his free moments, Lindsay loves reading and jogging.

In his book, In A Pit With A Lion on A Snowy Day, Mark Batterson unpacks the confrontation in 2 Samuel 23: 20-23 and I want to acknowledge his inspiration and recommend his writings.

The Chase

While we were in Tanzania, we worked closely with a tribe called the Maasai. Their history is that of a warrior tribe. Initiation rites included isolation from the village, circumcision and proof of manhood.

lionchaserThere are rumors that lion killing or chasing the lion into its den is part of the initiation rites, but I have not been able to confirm that. What I can confirm is that Maasai warriors often engage in retaliatory killing of lions when they have attacked their herd. Their herd is considered to be a gift from God and proof of God’s presence on earth. It is their responsibility to care for it and to defend it with their lives.

Try to put yourself in the sandals of one of those young warriors.

Doctors tell us that when you see danger your body gets you ready for one of two things; fight or flight. The same thing happens to a lion. So the stage is set for confrontation because neither the lion nor the warrior will back down.

Lions can weigh up to 500 pounds, run up to 35 mph and leap 30 feet in a single bound. You would think that the young warrior doesn’t stand a chance—but he has trained well.

Just Where He Needs Me

Encounters with lions are a reminder for Christians that God is in the business of carefully and deliberately placing his people―just where he needs them. But it’s been my experience that the right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time often seems like the wrong time, especially if it puts you in the path of a lion.

In 2 Samuel 23:23, “David put (Benaiah) in charge of his bodyguard.” I can think of many places I would rather be than in a pit with a lion. But I have to admit, being able to say, “I killed a lion in a pit” looks very good on your resumé if you’re applying for a bodyguard position; just as “I killed a lion” looks very good on a young Maasai warrior’s reputation in the village. David must have considered other people but someone who could kill a lion is the kind of person you want as a bodyguard.

lionchaser1As I look back over my life I realize now that the greatest opportunities were also the scariest lions. Part of me wanted to play it safe; especially after we left Jamaica in 1990. Lynette had a serious breakdown there after living in a pretty rough area of Kingston for four years and we had decided, never again! But we’ve learned that taking no risks is the greatest risk of all. We’ve been on a great adventure with God and I am so grateful we said “yes” each time the phone rang and we were asked to go somewhere for God and the Army.

We are called to chase lions. Lion chasers don’t let their fears or doubts keep them from doing what God has called them to do. They don’t omit risk and risky callings from their lives.

Spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities. Think of every opportunity as God’s gift to us.

The reality is that nothing is too difficult for God. Share on X

Fight or Flight?

lionchaser2What are you going to do when the lion of opportunity crosses your path? Will you run away or grab it by the mane?

Benaiah went on to have a brilliant military career. In fact, he climbed all the way to the top of the chain of command to become commander-in-chief of Israel’s army. But it all started with what many would consider being in the wrong place at the wrong time. His success can be traced all the way back to a life-or-death encounter with a man-eating lion. It was fight or flight. Benaiah was faced with a choice that would determine his destiny: run away or give chase.

I doubt that any of us will end up in a pit with a lion. Yet I can’t think of a better way to describe what happens in someone’s life every day. I imagine you’ve encountered some lions and fallen into some pits. Maybe God’s given you a calling that scares you so much you just want to run away.

Think of Benaiah in the pit with the lion. He didn’t focus on his disadvantages. He didn’t make excuses. He didn’t try to avoid situations where the odds were against him. Lion chasers know that God is bigger and more powerful than any problem they face in this world. They know that impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles. That’s how God reveals his glory. That’s how he blesses you in ways you never could have imagined.

Lion chasers know that their God is bigger than they can even imagine.

The reality is that nothing is too difficult for God

The reality is that nothing is too difficult for God. Share on X

Personal Reflection

How big is your God? Is He big enough to do anything, or are there limits in your mind to what God can do? The greatest victories in your life will happen when you push fear aside and choose to trust God.

No adversity equals no opportunity. Benaiah could not have proven his ability to lead Israel’s Army without the very adverse conditions he had to face and conquer.

What lion is God calling you to chase? What lion is God calling you to chase? Share on X A bad habit, a sacrificial calling, discouragement, despair? I believe God created us to chase lions, not to run away and cower when they attack. I believe God created us to chase lions, not to run away and cower when they attack. Share on X

Remember, the lion of opportunity has no tail. You either grab it by the mane as it goes by or it becomes a missed opportunity.

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.