Teaching Bravery and Courage in a Lost World

 

When God told me to start Leading the Lambs, I truly had no idea what I was doing, but sometimes that’s the best place to be with the Lord.  Ministry is best served in dependence upon God.  I knew God wanted to build community and bring local moms with toddlers together.  And not just any moms, but moms who want more for their children than what the world throws at them.  When we teach our children the word of God and the victory they have in Jesus’ death and resurrection, we pass on a spiritual courage and bravery to them. God’s word says that the same spirit who raised Christ from the dead, lives inside us (Romans 8:11), and that those who believe in him and study his word will see the power of that spirit increase in their lives. 

 

I have been SO encouraged by all that God is doing in our group through Leading the Lambs! I know that this group will continue to grow and spread out across the state, encouraging women and their children to come together with like-minded mommas and open the word of God. 

 

Please don’t hesitate to invite people! This group is open to all moms looking for fellowship and community!

 

Over the last week, I’ve found myself in the book of Ezekiel often.  Ezekiel was a prophet at a time when Israel, God’s chosen people, were living in captivity in Babylon.  Israel was choosing not to listen or obey God, and things were not going well for them.  Ezekiel was often given difficult messages to give to the people from God.

 

In chapter 19, God speaks through Ezekial of a strong mother who raised strong children.  He uses a lioness to describe her: 

 

“What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among them and reared her cubs. She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he became a man-eater.” Ezekiel 19:2-3

 

When I did some research on female lions or lionesses, I found something that was quite interesting.  There is no natural predator of lions, they are the top of the food chain and without one true enemy in their habitat.  I felt the Lord speak to me through this because the word tells us that, Christ defeated our one true enemy when he died on the cross for us.  

 

“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” Hebrews 2:14-15

 

This is incredibly good news!! Through our faith in Christ, we have victory over our enemy and that puts us that the top of the food chain, just like the lioness.  We are not living in fear of what could happen to us or who could harm us, because of our position in Christ. The bible says that we are seated in heavenly places with him, so even though we walk on the earth, our spiritual placement is up high!  It’s kind of like being an eagle who soars above all who threaten her way of life, she swoops down to acquire food for herself and her children but doesn’t succumb to threat of any creature down below.  We see things from a tree line viewpoint with Christ and we can discern what is worth fighting for or not.  We know that in all battles, we will win because of the victory we have in Christ.  We know that we are more than conquerors with Christ (Romans 8:31-39) and that God fights for us (Exodus 14:14)! 

 

We can acquire this mindset and great victory when we read and know the word of God.  

It is our guiding light, showing us the pathway to more freedom. 

Can I encourage you today?!

God has already placed everything inside of you that is needed to be a strong, confident, free mom! 

 

Through our relationship with God, not only will he guide us into a successful and loving disposition as a mother, but from this position of great strength, we are able to teach our children to be brave in this world.  We are more than able to encourage their spirits and help them build their identity in Christ.  

 

There is so much more I want to say! But I will leave you with this for the week. 

 

When we “rear our cubs” like the lioness, we teach them how to not only survive but thrive in the jungle that is this world. We teach them from a position of strength. The lioness spends the first two months of life with their newborn cub hidden away from the world, fiercely protecting them as they join the pride and teaching them survival skills from the very beginning. They learn how to feed themselves and how to acquire great victory in adversity.  Those that rise up against them will not win because they have been routed in bravery, courage and wisdom since day one.  Just like the mother in Ezekiel 19, God will deposit a great strength inside of you to rise up and become the mother of brave little cubs in Christ! 

 

With all my love and support,

Amy