Roaring God

“Courage, dear heart.” - Aslan

(C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader)

 

The man of God gave the call for prayer. My 12 year old made her way to the front, no prodding required. I watched her get up and go. Her eyes never hesitated, never looked for permission. She just went. She was the youngest, standing at the back, waiting for her turn for prayer.

I eventually joined her, as the wait was long, doing the mommy thing. I put my arm around her. Her eyes were glossy with moisture; she seemed sheepish. I leaned over and hugged her, kissed her head. She was shaking. I inquired. She filled me in through tears and with fumbling words.

On the wall to the left of her was a large red banner with an embroidered gold lion. She pointed to it. Told me that the Lion's eyes were glowing, catching her eye. She would glance back and forth. Then finally, the Lion roared at her. She heard it, on the inside. And when she heard it, it shook her to the core.

"I'm so small and weak, mom. He's so big!"

Oh, the revelation of a BIG GOD and a small man...

She began to weep. Told me her knees were weak. Said her legs wouldn't stop shaking, almost like she had to dance. Does His roar demand our worship? When He roars, what is our response?

My baby girl's response was humility. She was humbled in the presence of a Great God. Her response was to worship, to move before the One who moved upon her.

The man of God spoke of Daniel. Spoke of his devotion and consecration to the Lord. Probably age 13 or 14, refusing to defile himself with Babylon. She was wide-eyed through the charge. She knew. This was her portion. What grace...

He placed his hand on her head, began to impart the charge in prayer. Saw her, as Lucy, holding the mane of Aslan. Aslan, (Jesus) leading her, giving her courage. He asked her if she could have one thing from God, what would it be? She said, "Courage." She cried as she told him that she wanted to be a bolder witness for Jesus. To tell the voices in her head that say she is too young, she is just a kid, to hush up. I stood to the side, taking it all in. May I always stand to the side, Jesus. She said she saw herself, riding the Lion, in a green meadow, playing the flute (she does play the flute) and going wherever He goes. When prayer was over, she sat down, taking it all in. Me too, with heart overflowing.

Then the shoes came off. The socks came off. Then she danced. Not in a showy fashion, but tucked away in the back. She danced so beautifully, just for Jesus. She gave what His roar demands - worship.
 

"Do not be afraid." - Jesus