Lions have been standing out to me the last couple of months. I’ve heard them in songs. I’ve seen them in pictures. In paintings or drawings. In real life. They’re everywhere I go for some reason. Not just here as I’m in Africa, but even when I’ve been in the States.
What started my journey was my very first day back home after my race. I went into my sister’s room and she had drawn a picture of a lion with these lyrics from Gratitude by Brandon Lake:
Then a couple of days later I read through a journal entry of mine from last year and I read through something that one of my coaches on my race had said about me. She had once described me as someone with the voice of a lion. From there, I just kept finding random images of lions or the word lion would stick out in songs I was listening to or even as I read through the Bible.
Then last week I was able to go on a safari in one of the biggest national parks in Africa. Literally, this park is the size of Israel, which is HUGE! On this safari, we were able to see all sorts of animals and see one of the most amazing sunrises I’ve ever experienced in my life. My favorite moment of the safari was when we parked alongside the road and watched a pride of lions for a solid 30-40 minutes. It was a pride of 17 lions, 2 males and 15 females. I watched them as they walked with grace and power and authority. They were so majestic. As I watched, tears started to form in my eyes.
In the lions, I saw a thumbprint of God. I saw how God is so majestic. A King. THE King. I saw how He has so much power. Unending power. Unending reign. The most authority. And as children of the King, we get access to that same power and authority. He wants us to help bring that here onto earth. He wants us to be His vessels. The more I thought about it, the more tears started to fill my eyes.
The Lord has been continually using this visual to remind me of Him and who He is. But also reminding me of the authority and power He has given me. In my actions and my words. Thank You, Lord, for reminding me of my voice and Who I reflect when I use it.
