A few days ago a young man was talking to me about taking risks for God. Several times during our conversation, he commented that not playing it safe could result in being eaten by lions in the lions’ den. This young man is definitely a risk taker. His message was clear. It’s better to live courageously for God and die, than to never truly live.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I live an out-of-box life. Sometimes I know where I am going to be next, months ahead of time. Sometimes I don’t get my next direction until the last minute. But God always makes it clear and opens the doors and provides for everything He has called for me to do.
There have been seasons when I have felt like I was in a den full of hungry lions, but there have also been seasons where I have felt like I was soaring with eagles. Whether in a den or on top of a mountain, God has been ever-present and faithful.
Long after our conversation was over, I continued to process the young man’s words, ” You might get eaten by lions…” I thought about the early Christians who were ripped apart and devoured by lions, and I thought about Daniel who was rescued from the lions. God was present both in the den and in the amphitheater. Heaven was advancing and the enemy was losing ground. In both cases, facing the lions turned the hearts of men and brought glory to God.
Only the Lord knows if my God adventures will someday close my chapter on this earth in martyrdom, but I would rather face the lions than hide and not fulfill my purpose.
The lions’ den might end in death, but as Daniel learned, it can also be the place where we are delivered, leader’s hearts are changed, our enemies are destroyed, and we are empowered to rule with more authority.
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to playing it safe or facing the lions-the lions have it hands down.
May you be abundantly blessed!
Jeannie
After King Darius destroyed Daniel’s enemies, he wrote the following decree:
“…To all peoples, nations,and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
He delivers and rescues,
And He work signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the Lions.
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian” Daniel 6:25-28 (NKJV).