The Courage of a Lioness

I didn’t hear the lion roar. He wouldn’t. Too docile that day as we stood in the cat house at the zoo. I so wanted to hear the lion roar, to tie together the symbolism of Jesus as the Lion of Judah. To witness the power and command of this beast who was tearing into his raw meat dinner.

People milled about. My kiddos were off with their grandparents at a different exhibit. C’mon, Lord, one roar? Nothing. Okay, maybe it’d scare the kids from families around me if the lion roared. I get it. Then, the Lord said, It’d scare you.  Oh… *grin*

There were other big cats nearby: a few tigers, a lioness. As I was leaving, the lioness roared. Powerful cat. Courageous cat. I peered toward her cage. Too many people between her and me for me to see her clearly. But the atmosphere changed. Kids around me clutched at their parents for security. Spirit of fear slithered about, but didn’t bother me. 

Fascinating. 

If the lioness’s roar is that powerful, that frightening, that deafening in the room, imagine what it’d be like if the lion roared. 

So, this year’s word for me from the Lord is courage. And the best picture of courage I know, the one God’s been giving me for two Januarys now (this year included) is that of a lioness. She walks through the jungle completely confident. She doesn’t fear. She doesn’t back down. She doesn’t slow down. Nothing keeps her from her mission (to hunt, to kill, to care for her cubs, to support the king). 

Now, only God knows why He has given me this image again this year, paired with this word: courage. But, He’s the Lion this lioness will accompany through the days of this year. 

Here’s the Scripture He gave me for 2012:

And Yahweh, He is the One who goes before you.

He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you;

do not fear nor be dismayed. (Deut. 31:8)

What has God been speaking to you about this year? Happy new year, dear readers. Let’s draw nearer this Lion of Judah, this Savior. He is so good. So powerful. So kind. And a million favorable descriptors besides.