photo by Fox News
When a lion wakes up in the morning he knows he is a lion. He knows how to hunt. He knows where to go for water. It is instinctive for him to live where he lives. He knows it is wise to stay close to family. He has the wisdom to rest and when to take leisurely naps. He lives without fear and knows when to use his abilities to protect himself. And I am pretty sure he sleeps well at night. He is alert at all times to the enemy and he knows who his enemies are. He knows how to protect his family and how to lead them. All in all the lion leads a pretty good life just by knowing he is the king of the jungle.
A lion does not think about how to be a lion he just KNOWS who he is.
This poses a question to me:
As King’s Kids why do we not wake up and be like we know who are Father is?
If we were to write down everything the Bible says we are as children of God, the list would be a long one. God says we are strong. He says we are holy and without blame. The Bible says we have the mind of Christ. Abundant grace and knowledge is ours for the asking. He promises to never leave or forsake us. He says He is our provider and our shelter. It also says through our belief in Christ we have no lack. We have access to God. We have been forgiven. We have strength through Jesus. We have been saved and made whole. It baffles me why we do not walk in freedom from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until we lay our heads on our pillows at night.
As King’s Kids we are not spoiled brats but we have inherited many things from our Father. We are made in His image and He delights in us everyday. We were created for a conversation. We were designed to sing to Him. We are created from love yet we dread so many things in this life. We live in fear yet the Bible says 365 times to NOT fear. The devil has played his cards very well and some of us have been dealt a very sour batch of cards, yet our God prevails over ALL of that! All means All! By Jesus’ death on the cross our freedom from worry and fear was bought. Our sins were erased and we are now in RIGHT standing with God the Father.
I am very guilty at times of not walking like the kid I am. I believe the Word yet there are days when I look at the rumble of my home and think, “Where are you God?” “How did this happen?” “Have you exited the scene?” “Will you still love me if I am angry for just a moment in my despair?” “Do you still hear me Lord?” “Will there ever be an end to this trial?” “Am I still your adopted daughter?”
“Yes my child! I promised to never leave you or forsake you. I am in control. I am alert to your situation. Choose to Trust. Choose to Wait. Choose to allow me to change your character in the process.”
Ugh! We end up right back at character. The dictionary says this about character: the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. This brings me to that scripture Psalm 23:7 about what a man thinks is how he is. I listened to a sermon today by Charles Stanley (Taking Control of Our Thoughts) and I would recommend you as well listen to it. We have to begin to take ALL thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and ask ourselves some serious questions. Where will they lead me? Do they take me where I want to go? Are the thoughts scripturally acceptable? Will they build me up or tear me down? Can I share these thoughts with others? Where did these thoughts come from? do they make me feel guilty? And he saved the best for last…Do these thoughts say I am a follower of Jesus?
As I think about who I am I act on those thoughts. At this point in my life being twice divorced I could have some pretty serious abandonment issues and bitterness going on. I could be selfish and closed off. I could live in fear. I could be bound by alcohol or back to smoking. There are so many of us who have fallen into the trap of the enemy and are plagued with these things. I had to allow myself to BELIEVE the Word of God in my life verses the lies of the enemy. I had to accept God as my Father. My Provider. My Strength. My Wisdom. I had to BELIEVE I was saved by grace and I walk in freedom. I had to choose to BELIEVE God is who He says He is and that He is truly in control.
I will not say it’s easy to walk in the knowledge of who we are in Christ. I will not profess that every day is a cake walk. However, there has not been a day that has gone by that I haven’t wrestled some discouraging things running around in my head. The battle is real but so is my God. Some battles are longer than others but that’s okay He will give me the strength to endure because He already knows I have the Victory.
Tomorrow I want to wake up and say “I am a Kings’ Kid! I belong to the God of the universe and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If I would continue to speak this and let it become by thought process day after day after day, you might just hear me roaring like a lion. After all I am just like my Daddy!
Step Upon the Golden Road with Me! 