When Aslan Roars

Battle.  It is a perilous journey all the time, battle is.  It is not always the case however, that we always know or see, where God is in the midst of it.  Lucy, did not know where Aslan was.  The other's had given up hope that he would come.  Lucy, did not give up hope.  And that hope gave her the strength while the enemy was in pursuit of her, to believe that Aslan was there.  And so, while the enemy closely behind her pursues her demise, she rides in haste.  As she rides, she is clearly aware of the danger behind her, clearly aware of the speed at which she must ride.  Clearly aware that these things must not keep her from, 'seeing' Aslan.  And it doesn't. 

While the enemy is gaining ground, closing in on her quickly, she is suddenly met parallel with a speed and sound coming alongside her.  She quickly turns her head to see what it is, and it is Aslan.  Side by side moving more quickly than she.   Then in an unexpected halting fear, she is met with a moment of almost terror.  Surprise, to say the least. 

Aslan's roar!

Thrown off her spooked and terrified horse that whinny's himself into the air, Lucy comes crashing to the ground.  She looks with bewilderment and wonder.  Almost a holy fear of Aslan.  And a question begging for response.... why did you roar at me?

In a pause that must have felt like forever, Aslan lunges way overtop of her, roaring yet again and crashing down behind her upon the enemy that was about to close right in on her. 

Finally, the revelation of his roar, is revealed. Here, take a moment and watch...

When I was watching this one day, I was overcome with thought as to the many things I felt this entire scene was speaking to me. 

Most times we don't get to see the reality of the battle, fully, in the unseen realm.  The realm where the spiritual battle is taking place, on our behalf. 

Therefore, we need to know the sound of Aslan's roar.  And who that roar is for.

We need to know our God is pursuing us with His love and redemptive power in our lives.

We need to trust that when we don't understand why He is roaring, that in His time, we will have understanding.  That it is okay to even ask, "Why are you roaring at me?" when trying to discern who that roar is for.  For He is faithful to answer us, when we ask Him something... but sometimes that answer will come in ways we did not expect.

For there is another roaring lion out there looking for one whom he may devour.  Satan himself. (1 Peter 5:8) Having revelation as to when and how he roars, is imperative on this journey we trod.

Is the roar of Aslan for me to hear?  To respond to?  Or is that roar from Aslan, a roar that scatters the enemy.  Lucy heard that roar, and had no idea what it was for.  The deep wondering question of why in such a vital moment, was crucial to her response.  She didn't stand up and start yelling at Aslan, about why he roared at her.  She didn't get up in anger and run the other direction yelling all kinds of things she shouldn't have, when she heard his roar.  No... she instead stood in the fear of that roar, a holy fear, for she KNEW Him... she did not fear Him from a place of being afraid, but rather from a place of knowing Him with reverence, and honor.  She paused, waiting on His move, to show her His purpose.  She trusted him.  She knew His voice, and therefore knew His roar.  Even if in that moment she did not understand, why. 

Sometimes, we will hear His roar in the midst of the enemy's roar.  In that moment, we have two choices.  Faith or fear.  Lucy chose... faith.  She had seen battle before. She had been in the presence of Aslan, when the battle looked lost.  She had seen His power to resurrect.  She knew His faithfulness.  And she knew that just one roar from Him, stayed the enemy from gaining ground over her.  Had she feared, she would have empowered the enemy.

How does the roar of the enemy, sound in your life, in mine?

It is alluring.  It is subtle.  It is undetected outside of holding it up against the Word of God... for even the enemy knows the word of God and comes like a sheep in wolves clothing.  It is half truth and lies mingled together.  It appeals to the flesh.  NOT our Spirit man.  He likes to make deals.  He likes to bring you slowly to a place of bit by bit, compromise.  Be it pride, favoritism, arguments, contentions, materialism, perfectionism, maintaining a level of comfort that keeps you feeling secure rather than taking risk, especially when God is inviting you to go higher in Him.  Its a voice designed to keeping you form all that God has called you to become, deceiving you that you must always be in control- be it in ministry or jobs, or in relationships... where you compromise the greater things out of fear of what it will look like, through status and position, the list goes on and on.  Subtly, he comes.

It is vital that we do not give ground to the enemy, by listening to the roar of his voice. For he will do everything in his power to cause you to think it is God's voice, through Godly people even, ....  We invite legal access to our lives, when we exchange the truth for the lie.  And he will not be polite about coming right on in and building up strongholds, over our minds.

We also must KNOW our God.  Our Lion of Judah.  For if we don't, we will cower in fear at the roar of the enemy.  How do we know His voice?  It NEVER compromises in any way, the Word of God.  The sound of His voice brings peace.  It brings love, joy, kindness, gentleness, compassion, patience, meekness, humility, self-control... God's Word, His Voice, always brings life abundant!!!  His voice, brings His Holy Presence and it brings His Kingdom, to earth!

In Lucy's moment of patient expectancy, Aslan revealed to her all that was needed-  to be STILL and KNOW that I AM King of Narnia.  He would fight on her behalf.

And her stillness before Him, would actually empower Him to fight on her behalf.

Her faith and gaze on Him, reveals her intimacy and relationship with Aslan.  That she knew this battle belonged now, to Him.

Her posture of knowing who He was, allowed her in that moment to become hidden- in the shadow of His Presence, (Psalm 91:1) Her being hidden in His shadow caused the enemy at that moment to hold no power over her, or access to her.

Her gaze on Aslan, caused the enemy to no longer have his face on her, for the enemy knew that she was now more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)   That no weapon formed against her would prosper.  (Isaiah 564:17) For Aslan now, had come and was about to take the enemy down.  In Aslan's presence, there is peace.  Peace that not only brings His Presence, but removes all chaos and anarchy hindering that peace. 

We must be able to sift through with discernment when the enemy roars and when Aslan roars.  Distinguish between the roar of the enemy and the roar of the Spirit of God, in our lives.  WE must know the value of stewarding stillness before Him.

I listen to worship every time I set apart time to be with Him.  It helps for me to connect to His voice and Spirit, for His Presence is so much greater when the praises of His people are declaring who He is.  It is in this still, secret place I have learned how to distinguish the sound of the Spirit roaring on my behalf, and the sounds of the enemy roaring to ride me into fear.  For me, it makes all the difference in how the battle is won, when I am still, when I am in worship, when I am listening and praying.  There is also the unceasing way I learn His voice, where throughout the day, I am in a longing to set my mind on Him.  It's not easy all the time to stay in that place and not get out of sync.  For the battle with my fleshly nature comes against me, and sometimes my weaknesses emerge.  But because I know His voice, He is faithful to pursue IN love and let me know, when I falter, fail and need to run back to Him, again.  Being able to recognize that, quickly, is the fruit of consistent time with Him. Learning His roaring and or, still, small, voice. 

Embrace.  It is the joyful response of knowing your defender, your Beloved, Your Father, knowing your God.  Lucy's embrace showed the intimacy she has with Aslan.  It showed her history with Him... for she loved to be with Him. 

This scene has more to it... for which I will continue to write in a part 2 blog.  Until then, I invite you to seek Him, to seek His Presence, and ask Him to sharpen your ear to His roar... so that next time you are in a place of feeling the hot breath of the enemy in pursuit of you, you will know with discernment, whose roar you are hearing.  That you will begin to hunger for stillness before God, a hunger to know His voice more acutely.  Growing then, more and more in confidence of His character and His voice, that in just one breath, He will push back all darkness.

For He is a God who pursues His children, the lost and the lonely.  Therefore, you can rest... rest in a Holy fear and reverence that the Lion Of Judah has already won, on your behalf.

Our Secret Place

Every night I come and sit with the Lord.  In the past few months, I have been very tired by the time I come to Him.  I have at times, sat and said, nothing... just listened to worship and listened for His voice.  Other times, I have lifted my voice in worship, my voice in prayer, my hands in praise... my heart in listening. At times, when I have been so tired... feeling as though I have so little to offer, I have felt, sad.  Sad that I didn't have more to give to Him.  Sad that I was so tired.  Like tonight. 

While I sat,yawning every few seconds such big yawns, tears fell from my eyes; I shut my eyes.  I put on Bethel worship and said, "Father, I don't know why sometimes I'm afraid to ask you questions?"  I think I still struggle with what He might say... and then I push through those lies and onto setting my face upon His.

Tonight, and even right now as I write, listening to worship, I was reminded of this beautiful place He showed me in my minds eye.  Our place high up on the mountain... by the water falls and flowing stream, where Jesus sits next to the stream, and over across the way a short distance, in the lush green grass sits a Lion, Aslan... or, my Father God.  The Lion of Judah. 

He showed me that place one night, many months ago this year, during a moment with Him.  Tonight, as I sit so tired... deep breaths every so many minutes, I said, "Father... please put a seal around my mind, and let me only hear from You."  And I sat.  Listening to worship, listening and waiting for Him. 

After a few moments I felt in my minds eye, a longing to rest my head up against my Beloved Jesus, and rest.  I imagined myself sitting close, snuggling in.... and then, I saw myself sitting on the ground, with my forehead resting upon His leg, looking down at the ground... in awe that I was even there with Him at all.  In awe of who it is, I am able to be so, closely intimate with. 

I looked up and saw, "Aslan" sitting not to far away... looking at me with joy.  Inviting me to also come at any time and snuggle into Him, too.  For He knew I needed both my Beloved and My Father, in that moment.

As I'm sitting with my heart pondering this closeness... I felt I heard the whisper of His voice speak... and this is what I felt I heard Him say.

"You struggle to rest.  You struggle to rest in a way that is free to simply come, to rest.  To come to rest your heart upon mine, and my love for you.  You struggle to come and give your tiredness to me and bring simply your heart that needs, rest.  You struggle to not pray, to not read my word, to not at some point, lift your voice to Me, for out of your heart, is your song to me, and I love your song... but you struggle to be okay with just simply.. your need for rest.  Do you not know that it is simply for your rest that I am here, too?  Do you not remember My Word, "come to me, all you who are weary and I will give you, Rest?"  Yes, rest.  Rest is for you, My Daughter, and it honors me, and pleases me with great pleasure to have you simply come to me, to... rest.  So, rest your heavy heart, your weary head, your downcast soul, and look no further than to my presence and rest.  For when you do this.. you give me your worship.  You give me a chance to strengthen you, without you doing anything but giving me all of your rest.  This, is an act of worship, My Daughter, and I delight in your coming to rest."

Then, I saw myself walk over to "Aslan"... my Father, and snuggle up into his beauty and safety.  Remembering how He told me, "I guard your borders."

It is a sacred, and simple place, a gift to be able to rest your whole self, upon the Beloved's arms.  To be able to enter into that place of just you and Him, and know that He is right there with you, holding you, knowing all of your thoughts, and in resting in His Presence... you are made stronger.

It is Our secret place.

It can be yours, too.