Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is the prequel to his other great work In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. This book is about adventure. It is about excitement. It is about passion. It is about pursuit. All of which Batterson says is lacking in the life of institutional Christianity. The title of this book was borrowed from the Celtic Christians. They had a word for the Holy Spirit, “An Geadh-Glas”, or “The Wild Goose”. Their word hints at the untrackable and untamable nature of a wild goose, which is also true of the Holy Spirit. Batterson declares that the Christian life should not be boring because we don’t serve a boring God.

As he begins his book, he speaks of cages that we find ourselves in. He says Christians were not meant to live cages lives. Batterson writes, “Sure, you can choose the safety and predictability of the cage, forfeiting the adventure God has destined for you. But you won’t be the only one missing out or losing out. When you lack the courage to chase the Wild Goose, the opportunity costs are staggering.” The bulk of the book (six chapters) centers around six cages that, as Batterson says, “keep us from roaming free with the Wild Goose and living the spiritual adventure God destined us to.” He also introduces us to six “goose-chasers” from the scriptures.

Cage One is the cage of responsibility – the story of Nehemiah. We learn here that our main responsibility as Christians is to pursue what God is passionate about. Cage Two is the cage of routine – the story of Moses. Routines lead to rut and ritual and quench the adventurous spirit. Cage Three is the cage of assumption – the story of Abraham. Excuses and assumptions abound. God can use anyone, anywhere, anytime. Cage Four is the cage of guilt – the story of Peter. If you allow your past ways to chart your future course, it will always be safe. Cage Five is the cage of failure – the story of Paul. Failure is often the beginning of our pursuit of the unknown. Cage Six is the cage of fear – the story of Jonathan. No guts, no glory.

Batterson has a great book here. His style of writing is unique and entertaining. He has the ability to communicate a difficult truth in a practical way, much like Andy Stanley. You will enjoy this book and find it challenging and capable of rekindling lost dreams.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising