Proverbs 22:13 (NLT)
The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”
Fear is a powerful feeling that can quickly consume us and paralyze us. The use of "lazy" in context of going against a lion seemed an unusual word to use at first. The thought of a zoo came to mind; tall glass walls or fences are there to protect the visitors. They are close enough to see lions, but only through a wall of protection. I began to think about what my reaction would be if the tour guide said, “Anyone who isn't feeling lazy today is welcome to go out and play with the lions.” Gulp! I am sure my thoughts would be something along the lines of, “They have lost their mind! There are a lot of things I would like to try but this is a spectator only event for me. Who would be foolish enough to do something like that?” The thought of laziness would have never crossed my mind.
But then I began to think about it from a different perspective. I am watching, but someone has to be doing! The lions don't feed themselves. Someone had to get in there to take care of them and feed them. Someone wasn't too scared or lazy to jump in the cage. They didn't pop out of their mother’s womb hanging out with lions any more than a baby comes out walking. Just as a baby takes its first steps, someone had to take the first steps to walk in the cage. There is a first step in everything!
I don't know how many zoos there are across the U.S., but let's just say there are 1,000. A thousand lion tamers step into the cage so millions of spectators can see the lions every year. But what if it that number was reversed? What if there were millions of tamers? A lion walking down the road would be no more unusual than a stray cat crossing the street. God has called us to be tamers! The enemy is like a lion, ready to devour us.
1 Peter 5:8
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Perhaps the difference between eating and being eaten is the steps it takes to get to His table. He has the authority; we just have to walk in it!
Matthew 28:18
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Father,
Thank You for Your might, Your power, and Your strength! Help us to become more than spectators! Help us overcome our fear. Give us the strength and the courage we need to take the steps needed to claim the victory You have already given us. We pray that our only fear would be that of doing nothing. In Jesus mighty name we pray! Amen.
The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”
Fear is a powerful feeling that can quickly consume us and paralyze us. The use of "lazy" in context of going against a lion seemed an unusual word to use at first. The thought of a zoo came to mind; tall glass walls or fences are there to protect the visitors. They are close enough to see lions, but only through a wall of protection. I began to think about what my reaction would be if the tour guide said, “Anyone who isn't feeling lazy today is welcome to go out and play with the lions.” Gulp! I am sure my thoughts would be something along the lines of, “They have lost their mind! There are a lot of things I would like to try but this is a spectator only event for me. Who would be foolish enough to do something like that?” The thought of laziness would have never crossed my mind.
But then I began to think about it from a different perspective. I am watching, but someone has to be doing! The lions don't feed themselves. Someone had to get in there to take care of them and feed them. Someone wasn't too scared or lazy to jump in the cage. They didn't pop out of their mother’s womb hanging out with lions any more than a baby comes out walking. Just as a baby takes its first steps, someone had to take the first steps to walk in the cage. There is a first step in everything!
I don't know how many zoos there are across the U.S., but let's just say there are 1,000. A thousand lion tamers step into the cage so millions of spectators can see the lions every year. But what if it that number was reversed? What if there were millions of tamers? A lion walking down the road would be no more unusual than a stray cat crossing the street. God has called us to be tamers! The enemy is like a lion, ready to devour us.
1 Peter 5:8
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Perhaps the difference between eating and being eaten is the steps it takes to get to His table. He has the authority; we just have to walk in it!
Matthew 28:18
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Father,
Thank You for Your might, Your power, and Your strength! Help us to become more than spectators! Help us overcome our fear. Give us the strength and the courage we need to take the steps needed to claim the victory You have already given us. We pray that our only fear would be that of doing nothing. In Jesus mighty name we pray! Amen.