Lions and Tigers and Bears

On the way to the Emerald City of Oz, Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow had to travel through the Haunted Forrest in which they feared they might encounter "lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"  They did indeed encounter a lion, the Cowardly Lion, who became an integral player in their success at reaching the Emerald City.  The lion they feared was part of the answer they sought.

King David, was tending his father's sheep when both a "lion and a bear carried off a sheep from the flock" (1 Sam 17:34).  Similarly to Dorothy and crew, both beasts became integral to his success at becoming king.  When Israel was was being taunted by the giant Goliath, backed by the Philistine army, David came forward, volunteering to face him in one-on-one battle saying, "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God" (v. 36).

Because of his experiences with both the lion and the bear, David was confident that "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me fro the hand of his Philistine" (v. 37).  It was not in being kept in safety that David developed as a warrior king, it was being given strength in adversity that produced the spiritual muscle, which seasoned this shepherd boy into king and commander of the Lord's army.

While we tend to seek peace and safety, it is the risky and unsettled times that produce the most growth in us.  As couples, we look back at the hard, lean years with fondness, realizing how difficult they were and how far we've come, but knowing it was in those years our bond was forged and our faith was increased.

It is the rigors of college, not lazy days of summer, that results in knowledge and life skills to help propel us through life.  It is the pain of weight sets not sitting at the juice bar that produces the muscle growth we desire.  It is the pain of loss not the easy gain of luck that causes us to appreciate and treasure what we have.  It is facing the lions and tigers and bears that make the journey so eventful and character building as to cause us to achieve and become better, stronger and more courageous.

Paul wrote of the Macedonian churches, "In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity...And they exceeded our expectations..." (2 Cor 8:1-5).  You may be facing a difficult time right now, ripe with lions and tigers and bears, but this may be just the opportunity for God to develop the spiritual muscle you will need to propel you through this world as you travel to the True Emerald City - Heaven itself, the City of God.  Jus' Say'n.