Facets of Faith

Conversations about life, faith, and friendship.

The Lion and the Lamb: When I’m Afraid

by //

Welcome to Facets of Faith where, each month, you read about a single topic from three different perspectives. This month we’re talking about how to reflect Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, in our lives. Tracy and Jen have share already –be sure to check them out!

Emma used to roar.

My sweet, somewhat mild-mannered little girl used to open her mouth and let out this most glorious sound.

I had forgotten she did that until a recent conversation I had with my mom. We often talk about Emma, but usually we share how much we miss her, how our hearts and arms ache to hold her. Emma died twelve years ago in a fire that destroyed our home. This year I chose to honor her life on the anniversary of her death through the release of a new book, and my mom was helping resurrect memories to include in it.

My little Emma used to roar whenever she felt afraid or uncomfortable. Normally, she was sweet and mild. Sure, she had a silly side typically seen only by those who knew her best. But when she was afraid? Watch. out. It didn’t matter who you were, she would stare you down, open her mouth, and release her emotions with a heart-felt roar.

Kind of like Simba from The Lion King. There’s a scene where Simba and Nala disobey Mufasa, Simba’s father, and travel beyond their protected land. They soon find themselves chased by enemies and before long, are cornered by the hyenas as they trembled with fear. Even so, Simba mustered up some courage and, with Nala nestled behind him, Simba stood firm and roared.

The hyenas merely chuckled at his pitiful sound. Do that again, they mocked. With a deep breath, Simba roared again but this time it was mighty and strong because the King had come to their rescue.

This King’s roar was a declaration of protection by Mufasa himself, Simba’s father. His roar sent the hyenas running away with their knees knocking and bodies shaking because they knew . . . they knew King Mufasa was strong and victorious.

Oh to stand in the face of fear like that, like Simba. Like Emma.

But we can. We can because much like Simba, we have an even greater Lion who not only stands with us, protecting and watching over us, and this Lion is victorious. He is victorious because He is also the Lamb who gave himself as a peace offering, restoring our relationship with God.

But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5, NLT

Jesus has the power to banish fear and triumph over death and sin. Jesus watches over you with his fierce protecting love. He demonstrated this fierce love as He hung on the cross, having laid down his life to take on the punishment for our sins and the sins of the world. The perfect Lamb of God. And there is nothing and no one that can snatch us away from him.

 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29, NLT

So how do we reflect the Lion and the Lamb?

We learn to roar like Emma. We stand firm and stare those fears and uncertainties right in the eye, knowing they are part of living in this broken world. Children die. Marriages end. Relationships wound. People disappoint.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, NLT

But we don’t stop there. Read the end of John 16:33 again.

We take heart. That means we keep on keeping on, we plant our lives in truth, and we live encouraged because Jesus has overcome the world.

Jesus is victorious, and if we’re to reflect the fullness of His character, we choose to live in victory as well. We reflect the Lion and the Lamb when we choose to trust Him despite our feelings, our circumstances, or knowing the outcome. I believe we reflect Him most when we walk secure in His victory knowing He is with us each step of the way.

So while we may still feel the feeling of fear, let’s choose to stare fear straight in the eye and roar, knowing the Lion and the Lamb stands with us, protecting us believing His roar is louder and more powerful than anything that might come our way.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4, NLT

How can you choose to face your fears today to reflect the Lion and the Lamb? Join the conversation and jump over to our Facebook page or leave a comment below.

The Lion and the Lamb: the Beauty in Truth and Grace

by //

We’ve got quite the line up at FACETS! We have precious thoughts from Tracy, Kim (next week), and you’ll have a chance to read our friend, Kelli Worrall. If you don’t know her yet, you need to! Check back the fourth week for her guest post. I know you’ll love it!

“March—in like a lion and out like a lamb.” Do you remember that from elementary school, too? That was the springboard thought for this month’s topic. Then we thought about the character of Jesus. Have you noticed He is called “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” and “the Lion of Judah” in the Bible? These are two of my (Jennifer) favorite names. I notice something about the natures embedded in them. One reveals to me the deeply compassionate and huge nature of Jesus. The other makes me think of a confident, powerful nature. Ah, the multi-faceted nature of God! As the team settled into the topic, we wondered how each of us is multi-faceted, too.

Which of God’s character qualities can I see in my own life?

Grace and truth. That’s a tricky balance, isn’t it? I can get flustered when I think about these two character traits doing their intricate dance in my life. I’m uneasy about “grace” that I think might squeak and scamper into a corner. I’m personally more familiar with “truth” that dons a black robe and wields an over-sized gavel with a BANG!

But Jesus—

The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 CSB

Jesus is grace and truth!

When I get muddled in the grace-truth balance, friends remind me of something super-important—our God doesn’t have a wimpy approach to offenses. He doesn’t wink at sin because it damages our hearts and our relationship to Him and others. I’ll limit this post to the category of sin including offenses. (My understanding of sin is richer than that.)

The truth of sin has to be acknowledged. That might make me happy if I had success in perfect living or I felt offended and hoped someone would receive their “just desserts.” But when I’m gut-level honest, I might be overwhelmed by the truth of every known and unknown offense I’ve dished to family, friends, and ultimately my Abba. Then I should be forever grateful for the goodness of truth and grace!

That said, this slice of my life includes a study of the book of Romans. Chapter one is an eye-opener when it comes to truth. I’m reminded that God’s truth will not be mocked.

For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth…They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:18, 25

There are consequences for knowing God, not acknowledging Him, and not being thankful: a darkened mind (1:21) and ugly heart. That’s something I don’t want for myself or anyone, but that’s where the path leads. I want to be sensitive to truth and respond well. And I sure don’t want to hide it from anyone who hasn’t been introduced to it yet or might ignore it. But how? I’m going to let that question sit for now—

I’ve received boundless grace from God, and it is the very thing He hopes I’ll extend to others. Actually, it’s more than hope; He commands it.

Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4

I’m tempted to breathe a sigh of relief when I see “rebuke him” because it feels like some kind of control after a tough exchange. But letting someone know they’ve done wrong is loving and gracious. After all, offenses should be acknowledged. Then I focus on “if he repents, forgive him.” When someone responds well, there’s a command: forgive. I must! The “seven times in a day” leaps off the page. Grace after an offense—forgiveness—is the gift I’ve been given, and it’s the gift I lavish time and again.

My story, like yours, is chock-full of difficult interactions. Some events may be more extreme or shocking than many women have experienced, but that’s not my point. Our offenses are not fewer or less significant than others’. What’s helpful but challenging to remember in ugly situations is this:

Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, for although the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17

Moses’ law revealed the problem of sin. Through Jesus, the problem was solved completely and permanently. All the offenses—mine and yours, forgotten and remembered—were addressed truthfully (acknowledged) and graciously (the debt to Holy God was settled). Each of us is invited into confession, repentance, and belief (1 John 1:9).

I know this truth. In love, I share it. By grace I want to live out of it with others. Why? Because—

…whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. Mark 11:25

My God is no vending machine. And prayer is more than the laundry list of requests, let’s be clear. But a clean heart makes all the difference in connecting heart-to-heart with Him. That’s the prayer conversation I want with my Father in heaven—hearing Him and thankful I’m heard.

And relationships with others? Nothing is better than knowing you are loved at your worst. Sure, we are liked and even loved at our best, but that’s easy. The rough moments mirror the Lion and the Lamb in everyday life, right?

Thanks for reading, friends. What you think about this month’s topic? Pop a comment in below or at the Facebook page. Are you choosing to know truth, reveal it, and be gracious in the process, too?

Signature, Jennifer Howe

How Do I Model Myself After The Lion And The Lamb?

by //

Welcome to Facets of Faith and this month’s question: How do I model myself after the Lion and the Lamb? I (Tracy) will be curious to see what my fellow sojourners in Christ, Jennifer and Kim, have to say on the subject. I wonder what your thoughts are as well. Do you find it hard to reflect Christ?

Those eyes. Kind and determined. Gentle yet fierce. Contrasts seemingly a contradiction.  But are they? Eyes speak. What do mine say when I look in the mirror? Do they see what Christ sees in me? Do they say to others what He would have me say?

The honest answer? Sometimes. Sometimes not.

Sometimes I see myself as gentle as a lamb and fierce and determined as a lion. At other times, I am like a bull in a china shop bumping into people emotionally all along the way.

I’m not always spiritually clumsy, but I have my moments. I can go from lovable to prickly porcupine if someone steps on a nerve … especially if it’s my last one because I’ve had it up to that familiar place–here!

A far cry from gentle. Sometimes, that’s where I find myself. When my feelings are hurt? Even harder to hang onto those eyes God would want me to see through. Blink. Blink. Tears blur my vision.

Sometimes, eyes need to peer into myself with sensitivity first. Sweet. Soft. Compassionate. It’s okay. God sees. He knows. He loves you when you are good, when you do good. He loves you when you aren’t good, and you wish you could hide from Him, others, and yourself.

If I can’t start by seeing myself with softness, it’s impossible to look upon others in that light.

The only way I can do so is to fix my eyes on Jesus─first. Without Him my vision gets distorted like water disrupted from a pebble thrown on its surface.  It can be difficult to see the truth. What am I really looking at? Which brings me back to:

How do I model myself after the Lion and the Lamb?

For you created my inmost being;

            you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

            your works are wonderful,

            I know that full well. ─Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

I remember who I am and who made me. I remember that His works are wonderful, so in His goodness that means me too. You too. And I don’t just know it. I know it FULL WELL. That’s how the image reflected back at me in the mirror can look like the Lion and the Lamb─tender and gentle, fierce and bold, made in His image, and formed by His hands.

It takes great courage, to be a lion and believe every good thing God says about us in His Word. When the world (or its people) tell us we are less than, we get to make a choice.

Will we choose to courageously believe what God says about us? Or will we be cowardly and cave to unkindness? If I internalize unkindness, it’s sure to slip out toward others. Scripture is my spiritual weapon that acts as anointing oil making every sharp word slide right off me, so I don’t say something to someone I might regret.

Praise Jesus for the anointing oil of His Scripture that helps unkindness slip away without absorbing into my heart!  God’s Word says,

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” ─Psalm 27:14 KJV

God, and His Word, help me to be of good courage. He and His Word are the source of my strength. When my heart needs encouragement, I know straight where to run. I learned in the school of hard knocks. My education has served me well. Every hard lesson helped me graduate to today, the place where I stand still learning as I look in the mirror, absorb my reflection, and smile as eyes twinkle back at me because I AM learning. I am growing. And that feels good!

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.─Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV

When I think of a lamb, I think of gentleness. When I think of THE Lamb, I think of sacrifice. Perhaps gentleness is my sacrifice, paying tribute to all God did to save me and set me free from sin for eternity and in my day-to-day.

His Word above says to be completely humble and gentle. My thoughts. How? How is one COMPLETELY gentle and humble? I can be for five minutes – maybe – but completely? Seems like a tall order. But that’s what God’s Word says.

The words that follow help me to feel better equipped to carry out this command. His Word says to Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Applying that same principle to humility and gentleness, it tells me to make every effort, to keep trying, and to do my best.

How do I model myself after the Lion and the Lamb?

I make every effort. It requires a daily determination. Lord, each day help me to live gentle as a lamb and fierce as a lion when fighting for freedom, fighting for kingdom causes and purposes, fighting every spiritual battle that presents itself.

A lion’s roar echoes loud enough to demolish every stronghold, tearing down what used to keep me down. When a woman finds her roar, she relentlessly pursues Christ and His purposes.  My challenge to you? Find your roar!

To be gentle requires a fierceness. Anyone can fly off with the mouth. It takes great restraint to be gentle in the face of adversity. Believe me. I know. It’s the season God has called me to.  Not responding is perhaps one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.

The Lion inside of me, the Holy Spirit, is the only way I can. He silences me when I want to speak up and defend myself. He also asks me to speak up in gentleness to convey truth and love. Sometimes I might wonder why am I the one that needs to say this? And I lament feeling a little like the prophet Jeremiah delivering news no one wants to hear. That takes courage too.

How do I model myself after the Lion and the Lamb?

Little by little each day I listen to Him. I listen for His guiding voice that helps me navigate the jungles of this world as He keeps me safe in spite of its dangers. He snuggles me close, helps me hold my head up high, as I gaze directly into His eyes where I borrow strength for a new day.

How is God calling you to model yourself after the Lion and the Lamb?

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.