The Face Of The Lion

In this surreal garden of paradise, there lives, not just the clowns in the safety of the anemone……

…..in the slow flow of the ocean’s surge, there lurks the beauty…..

…..in the lions’ den, a site that ensnares the unsuspecting, buoyancy-challenged diver……one of the deadliest predators of the reef with poison from the spines that can kill….Garbed only in a pink shortie, I had to come face to face with…….

……..the lion itself!!!!

Much like what happens on earth, how many of us Christians are aware of the consequences of being a ‘neutral’ believer, one who doesn’t need to go to church because of self-reliance, or because they see other Christians behaving badly & become afraid of being branded as a fanatic or be associated with goody-two-shoes, or give excuses of living by example when the example is hardly an example when the blind leads the blind. Perhaps they see the church as a stifling, moral-keeping bunch of holies who shove moral standards down their throats. There are many justifications for being lukewarm.

People will brand you whatever they want to brand you. They may spend all their lives pursuing their goals but never finding satisfaction in attaining any of them. They may hate you for being holy & wait for the moment when you fall so that they can say that you are just like one of them or even worse off than they are. You will be shot down for every good thing & they will curse you till you are afflicted with their ways. You may have days where you cannot see the light nor the brightness of His rising. You decide it’s enough, you decide to stay in the sidelines & be on the reserve team rather than on the field as the defender or striker. They have beaten you to pulp with their actions & you’re defeated because you refuse to give a reason for the hope that you have in you.

But if you also suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, nor be troubled, but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that while they speak against you as evildoers they may be shamed, those falsely accusing your good behavior in Christ.
(1Peter 3:14-16)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
(Revelation 3:13-22)

Just because we fall short of the glory of God, it doesn’t mean that we should stop trying to attain His standards & be set apart for His purpose. Are you hovering over the lionfish’s den with only your lycra suit on where any surge or ocean’s wave of destruction can smash you onto the toxic spines of the devourer & crush you on the rocks? Or are you still seeking refuge in the false safety of the arms of the anemone? What would you say to Him when you come face to face with The Lion & The Lamb???