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The Lion and the Lamb: When I’m Afraid

03.21.2017 by Kim Findlay //

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.

Categories // Faith, Kim Findlay's Perspective Tags // Faith, fear, Kim Findlay, Lamb, Lion, overcoming fear, Psalm 121, Roar, victorious living, victory

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

03.07.2017 by Tracy Stella //

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.

Categories // Faith, Tracy Stella's Perspective Tags // Ephesians 4:1-3, Fierce, Gentle, Humble, Lamb, Lion, Psalm 139:13-14, Psalm 27:14, Reflection of Christ, Roar

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