Originally published Monday, 28 September 2015.
If Jesus was a lion, I don't know why I spend my life living like such a low-level lanky lamb.
I walk into places forgetting about the word "heroism". I am the sum, the bottom line and the result of other's judgements. I forget that the blood of Jesus fills my body and drives my organs, actions and thoughts.
And, yes, while God calls us to be lamb-like
in gentleness and submission,
he also calls us to be lion-like
in devouring the Word of God and running it's meat far and wide.
The problem arises, when we start living all
unsure and unable and unavailable -
when we start living more like a waiting lamb than a stampeding lion.
An always-lamb can easily turn into a ready-doormat,
an enabling vehicle to sin
or a wishy-washy truth spinner in the face of opposition.
They can turn into a silencer of God's Word if they are not careful.
“Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain... Rev. 5:5-6
The spotless lamb was slain,
so the "root" of courage, the small-time battler,
from the tribe of David could live on.
Do you allow your "small-time battler" to live on?
Often, I don't:
I am afraid to shine too bright;
I may blind other's sight.I live like a runt,
not on the hunt for those starving for Christ Jesus.Humility is my protector and defender,
because I fear the idea of surrender.
The lowly lamb, who pushes aside the ferocious lion, sometimes creates an easy road.
But, when our less than status, becomes our excuse to lay low, hide out and walk without the need for God's protective armor, we may have some thinking to do.
Lions were a symbol of power, of force, of might.
They were the loved symbol of the Assyrian Kings, Babylonians and the like.
Adad Nirari II of Assyria (911-891 B.C.) proclaimed, “I am powerful, I am all powerful, I am brilliant, I am lion-brave, I am manly, I am supreme, I am noble.”
Assur-nasir-pal II (883-859 B.C.) confidently declared, “I am lion-brave, and I am heroic! Assur-nasir-pal, the mighty king, the king of Assyria, chosen of Sin, favorite Anu, beloved of Adad, mighty one among the gods, I am the merciless weapon that strikes down the land of his enemies.”
Powerful.
Brilliant.
Brave.
Supreme.
Noble.
Heroic.
Mighty.
Beloved.
A weapon.
I know someone like that. His name is Jesus.
The lion who was, is and always will be.
The one who moved with this intention,
with purpose, with clarity, to save us - and the world.
If there was no lion, no force of courage, no act of bravery -
he likely would not have been the slain lamb.
Jesus was the complete lion.
And now, he has passed the baton.
He was, now we are.
Do we act like it?
God is calling us to it: The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, but the righteous person is as confident as a lion. Prov. 28:1
The day of confidence is here.
A day to:
Seek and hear God with the brute force of a long-lost lover.
Walk unabashedly towards others with their real lottery ticket to riches.
Wear Jesus' love on your sleeve - wear it loud and proud.
Tear down your idols that stand on anything but God's altars.
Shout what you believe like lyrics at a rock concert.
Wrap your arms around Jesus' blood-soaked feet at the cross.
Take pride in your noble heritage and inheritance.
Stand out and stand up.
It is a day to be ready to die for the one who died for us.
We live like a lion, so if that day ever comes, we can die as a lamb.
We are lions - hear us roar, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Heb. 3:16
Get all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.
Join Kelly on her blog, Purposeful Faith, on Twitter and on Facebook.
SHARE
