Muscle Cars & Roaring Lions

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There’s an ultra mini expression which packs a big punch – it’s been around for quite a while, but many may not have a clue as to its origin – after all – it’s pretty novel and a tad bit scary. Hold onto your seat – here tis: “Run to the roar!” Pretty ear-catching! So – is this “running to the roar” the sound of a souped-up muscle car, or “running to the roar” of a mad crazy person, or “running to the roar” of a jet engine? Surprisingly, none of the above. It’s truly scarier than those – it’s running to the roar of a enormous lion!

In Africa, when lions hunt, it’s the lionesses who are the real hunters. The males are too slow and a bit too lazy to pull off the job. But, the male does have a big role to play in bringing down prey. He will get on one side of a watering hole where antelope etc. gather, and standing as tall as he possibly can, the lion lets out a ferocious roar that shakes the nerves of anything within a 50 mile radius! The prey, hearing this thunderous roar, run the opposite direction, straight into the waiting mouths of the females. If the poor animal had only run toward the roar – as frightening as it would have been, they would actually have been able to run away into safety. Instead, they became someone’s dinner!

Every generation has their own unique challenges. Every generation encounters issues that will affect their families and nation for future generations to come; hence, the constant need for people of uncommon courage and self-sacrifice to “run to the roar!” Someone once observed that “Courage results when one’s convictions are bigger than one’s fears!”

Remember our history, back to 1955, when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give her bus seat to a white man. It may seem like a small thing decades later, but it was an act of extreme courage on her part and yes, she “ran to the roar.”

Here’s what she has since said about that action: “I have learned over the years that knowing what must be done does away with fear. When I sat down on the bus that day, I had no idea history was being made…But I had made up my mind…whatever I had to face afterwards – was not important. I did not feel any fear sitting there. I felt the Lord would give me the strength to endure whatever I had to face. It was time for someone to stand up – or in my case, sit down. So I refused to move.”

When was the last time you were personally courageous? How often do you feel butterflies in your stomach or how frequently do your knees shake just a bit while contemplating a venture? It’s interesting that Winston Churchill called courage the “first human quality because it’s the quality which guarantees all others.” ALL others! I believe it takes a tremendous amount of courage for righteous people to keep a nation. That’s why the Lord gave this command to Joshua as he prepared to enter the promised land: “Only be strong and very courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged, because I am your God…”

I recall in 2020 when the government was shutting down our local churches. “Shut down,” they instructed. “Church is not essential.” We complied for several weeks but when it became obvious that the government was allowing abortion clinics, liquor stores, and marijuana shops etc., to remain open, we decided to act. First of all, our church board met and voted to bail Bob out of jail if he was arrested, and then we told our congregation we would be having services as usual come Sunday morning. We ran to the roar! Most of our congregation were thrilled we had reopened and they too, ran to the roar!! And, I suppose you could say God “ran to the roar” also as He, too, showed up that Sunday morning!!

There’s a quote from Jane Austen (1775-1817) that I find truly noteworthy here: “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” At the end of our days, I believe our greatest regrets will be the God-ordained opportunities we left on the table – too afraid to touch them – too many butterflies in the ol’ tummy. But when all is said and done, God isn’t going to say, “Well said,” “Well scrutinized,” or “Well pondered.” There is only one phrase I am listening for: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” Come on – play offense! Run to the roar!

Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you can visit them at DPCityChurch.org.

Susan Beckett | Dwelling Place City Church

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