The Lion King

Part 2 of 2

Last week I shared four of my favorite biblical truths from The Lion King. Here are my final four…

“The question is, who are you?” –Rafiki

This is a vital question. For years Simba has been running from his true identity. Rafiki asks a question we all need to occasionally reconsider. Our answer subsequently flavors both our character and our choices.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

It’s easy to forget that before all else we are children of God.

• When society pressures us to go with the flow, we forget.

• When storms arise and threaten us, we forget.

• When we mess up and the consequences are overwhelming, we forget.

Forgetting separates us from the truths we need in order to navigate these difficult situations. When we remember our true, unchangeable identity we can walk confidently in the instruction of the Holy Spirit.

 

“You are more than what you have become.” -Mufasa

This simple statement addresses Simba’s primary struggle: he cast aside the responsibilities of leadership and allowed the guilt of his father’s death to impair him.

We often get bogged down by the past. We drag around our hurt, guilt, and shame. We load our backpacks with painful memories, wounds, and hurtful words. Then we wonder why our Christian walk is so hard.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

The past doesn’t have to be years ago; maybe it is just a day ago. Don’t take yesterday’s distress and disappointment with you. God is calling us to see the new thing He is creating from our former failures.

 

“The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” –Rafiki

Rafiki vividly illustrates his point by swinging a stick at Simba’s head, leaving behind a painful bump. But his second swing only catches air as Simba knowingly ducks.

We are to learn from the past without getting lost in it. Our painful knocks on the head eventually heal, but we are to carry their lessons with us.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Our struggles are there to make us stronger. If a recurrent difficulty rises in the road ahead like a stone wall, don’t waste your time looking for a way to avoid it. Some walls stretch infinitely in both directions. Learn how to climb. And the next time it appears in your life, it will be much easier to ascend.

 

“He lives in you.” -Rafiki

Simba wants to see his father; he feels lost without him. Rafiki shows Simba that even though he feels alone, he isn’t.

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Just because we can’t see or touch God in our temporal lives doesn’t mean He isn’t here. The personhood of The Almighty is invisible, but His Spirit living in us enables us to live abundant, empowered lives.

When life feels impossible, we are not alone. As His children, God is always near, available, and protecting those who love Him.

The Lion King is more than entertainment for children. The story stirs us all with timeless (and biblical) truths.