Several years ago, my husband and I spent the day at a zoo. As we walked through the park, we heard a low, rumbling sound. We couldn’t tell what it was at first, but when it grew louder, there was no question.
It was a lion.
All at once, everyone on the trail began to run toward the lion exhibit. We joined in, not wanting to miss the king of the jungle’s big moment. What had him so angry? Was he fighting another lion? We rounded one bend and then another before finally reaching the lion—we could hear him from that far away! And what we saw surprised us all.
The lion was simply resting on the ground, all stretched out in the sun like the big cat he was, looking half asleep. He wasn’t angry at all. And yet, even his sleepy roar had been loud enough to get our attention from a distance. Close up, it was so powerful it made my breath catch and my neck break out in chills.
“He isn’t even trying,” my husband said, “and he’s still that loud! How scary would he be if he really roared?”
Lions are awe-inspiring, magnificent creatures. They command respect. They’re kings for a reason. The Book of Proverbs compares a righteous man to a lion:
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1
Bold as a lion! Righteous people are awe-inspiring. They leave a lasting impact on the world they touch. Righteous people fight boldly against the injustices and evils around them—against things like trafficking and exploitation and abuse. Righteous people stand courageously in defense of those who can’t defend themselves. Righteous people command respect—respect for the Lion of Judah Himself.
But. When it comes to the war against sin—the struggle against “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”—how often are we caught napping? Even our smallest efforts make a difference, of course…but what if we, the people of God, rose to our feet against injustice? What if we determined to make a difference for the boys Blackbox reaches around the world? What if we prayed and served and gave?
How many lives could be rescued and redeemed? How many stories would change?
What if we did all we could on behalf of someone else, for God’s glory?
What if we roared?