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?

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