Weekly Words

Another Level

Hannah Kinoti tells a true story about an African shepherd boy named Semoine who was twelve years old when he had his first confrontation with a lion. He, along with five other boys, was grazing a herd of cows in the Maasai Mara game reserve when, surprised by a lion, the other boys ran away and left Semoine alone to face the vicious beast of prey. As the lion was creeping upon a cow that Semoine had just milked that morning, he threw his spear and struck the lion in the chest. All of a sudden the wounded beast attacked the boy, breaking his right leg and then mauling his head. Semoine spent two months in the hospital, but still declared he would challenge any lion again if it attacked his daddy’s herd. THAT is another level!

We often hear, quote, and read the 23rd Psalm, but never has it been more alive for me than when I read this story. This story invites us to imagine the shepherd metaphor for God with a whole new meaning, life, and vitality. It paints a picture of a God who is vigilant about our safety and security and will risk everything for our life. The story of Semoine helps us merge the metaphor of shepherd with the reality of the cross. Here is God using Jesus to step in front of us and risk it all so that we might have life more abundantly, walk more freely, exist more justly, and love more heartily. Can’t you hear that young African boy, with cast on leg and bandages all about his skull, vociferously declaring, “Yeah, I did it, and I’ll do it again if a lion attacks one of my Daddy’s cows.” More than this, I hear Jesus, with blood dripping, hands throbbing, feet hurting, and head aching, saying “This is what I do when lions attack my daddy’s children.” THAT is another level!

Yet, the question is: are we willing to go to another level? Interestingly enough we do not go to another level by basking in the glory of God’s shepherd like qualities. Yes, God is worthy of our awe, praise, and worship, but we don’t take it to another level by going to church more, yelling louder, dancing more feverishly, or “praising” more fervently. It is easy to be sheep who are excited about how we are given protection, peace, and provisions from the Good Shepherd. The challenge for us is to accept the invitation to be shepherds ourselves. This invitation is given to all who will take seriously the idea that we are created in God’s image. With all the gifts, talents, and blessings we have been bestowed with, are we running away or sitting idly by while God’s children are being attacked by lions? Who will get up and risk life and limb for someone or someone’s ability to flower and flourish in an enemy stricken pasture? Moreover, after we’ve been injured in battle and hurt by the enemy, who will declare while the bandages are still on and the wounds are still festering that I will continue to fight if lions attack God’s children? THAT is another level!

Humbly in Christ’s Love,
Pastor B.A. Jackson