Chasing Daylight by Jeff Bills

Easter will be here and gone before you know it, so I want to give you a glimpse about the next message series that will be starting on April 6th. The series, called “Chasing Daylight,” is based on a book by that same title. This eight-week series will focus on both the challenge and the realities of trusting God in the face of risk, uncertainties, and struggles. I believe that you will be inspired and encouraged as we work our way through this study.

When I began reading Chasing Daylight, my plan was to use it for a small group that I was going to launch. The deeper I got into the book, the more jazzed I got about the themes and their application to everyday life. By the time I got half way through the book, I was convinced that this was something that needed to be shared more widely than a small group. I am looking forward to presenting this as a series throughout April and May.

Chasing Daylight was written by Erwin McManus, who is the lead pastor of Mosaic, a dynamic, multicultural church in Los Angeles. In this book, McManus focuses on a story from I Samuel 14 about Jonathon, the son of King Saul, who takes on an enemy army against overwhelming odds. What the author is able to tease out of this story has significant implications for our life and faith — which is what I find so exciting.

As we did with The Purpose-Driven Life and What’s So Amazing About Grace, we will be hosting Chasing Daylight groups during the eight weeks of this series. Rick Court and Randy Petersen are organizing Daylight groups that will be meeting throughout the week to take a closer look at the book and to share insights, ask questions, and wrestle with the implications. I would encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to be stretched and inspired. Lots more information about these groups will be forthcoming.

There is another benefit we have seen when doing a series like this when we are all reading the same book. The conversations that happen are not limited to one small group or to a single week. There is a “buzz” and an energy that is created when a large number of us are engaged in a common study. Lobby conversations, talk at Supper Clubs — even chance encounters by HOPE people out in the community — seamlessly move toward the study. The benefit is, as we are all sharing our insights and questions, the opportunity for personal and corporate growth increases significantly.

Copies of Chasing Daylight are available in The Source Bookstore if you are one of those students who would like to get a jump on your reading assignments!

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