A Child of the King
Two weeks ago, I opened my AMC app (a movie theater app) to look for a kid’s movie to go see with my daughter. We had some free time together, and I decided we should go on a date. As I was scrolling, I saw that the theater was showing The Lion King for the 30th anniversary. Realizing I had never actually experienced some of those older animated Disney movies in theaters, I figured it would be a good option. Plus, Maeve has really been into The Lion King universe recently.
(Disclaimer: Serious spoiler warning. But if you haven’t seen it… c’mon.)
So we all know the story: Simba is born. Scar wants to be king. Scar kills Mufasa and tries to kill Simba but fails. Simba runs away.
This part of the story is where I want to camp for a bit.
In the film, Simba decides to completely abandon all of his responsibilities. He runs away and chooses to neglect what he was born to do, which is to be king. He adopts a lifestyle similar to those around him. He becomes carefree; but in doing so, he also becomes lazy and irresponsible. We see Simba go from a young prince, who was being trained and guided by his father, to someone who has completely lost their way.
I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this. As I was sitting in the theater, unashamedly trying to fight back tears, I realized just how relatable the story of Simba, in The Lion King, is.
Romans 8:14-17 says this: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Verse 17 emphasizes that if we are God’s children, then we are heirs. Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This means that we are royalty when we come into relationship with Jesus. The most interesting part is the very end of verse 17: “If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
To be a king or queen is no small task. If we are called to be kings and queens, or heirs as Romans 8 says, then that means we are called to something greater than ourselves.
In The Lion King, Simba no longer wanted the weight of being king. He didn’t want the responsibility; he was afraid to face his past.
In my own life, I have experienced this feeling more than once. It’s the belief that you aren’t good enough. You’re not fit to be royalty. You’d rather just stand on the sidelines and focus only on your own life. It’s the feeling of doubt that creeps in and eats at your soul. God has a plan for you though. If you don’t think you're fit to be royalty, He says otherwise; and He wants you to be an heir.
After Simba has the chance to talk with his father (who reveals himself to Simba in a vision), he realizes that he must fulfill his destiny by returning home, facing his past, and assuming the throne as the rightful king.
If you’re like me and you’re struggling with this feeling, I encourage you to dive into the Word and research what God has to say about this for yourself. If you don’t know what to pray, try something like this:
God, I accept Your invitation to be Your child, which makes me royalty. Thank You for the gift of grace; and though I may share in your suffering, I thank You for allowing me to share in Your glory. Amen.
(Disclaimer: Serious spoiler warning. But if you haven’t seen it… c’mon.)
So we all know the story: Simba is born. Scar wants to be king. Scar kills Mufasa and tries to kill Simba but fails. Simba runs away.
This part of the story is where I want to camp for a bit.
In the film, Simba decides to completely abandon all of his responsibilities. He runs away and chooses to neglect what he was born to do, which is to be king. He adopts a lifestyle similar to those around him. He becomes carefree; but in doing so, he also becomes lazy and irresponsible. We see Simba go from a young prince, who was being trained and guided by his father, to someone who has completely lost their way.
I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this. As I was sitting in the theater, unashamedly trying to fight back tears, I realized just how relatable the story of Simba, in The Lion King, is.
Romans 8:14-17 says this: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Verse 17 emphasizes that if we are God’s children, then we are heirs. Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This means that we are royalty when we come into relationship with Jesus. The most interesting part is the very end of verse 17: “If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
To be a king or queen is no small task. If we are called to be kings and queens, or heirs as Romans 8 says, then that means we are called to something greater than ourselves.
In The Lion King, Simba no longer wanted the weight of being king. He didn’t want the responsibility; he was afraid to face his past.
In my own life, I have experienced this feeling more than once. It’s the belief that you aren’t good enough. You’re not fit to be royalty. You’d rather just stand on the sidelines and focus only on your own life. It’s the feeling of doubt that creeps in and eats at your soul. God has a plan for you though. If you don’t think you're fit to be royalty, He says otherwise; and He wants you to be an heir.
After Simba has the chance to talk with his father (who reveals himself to Simba in a vision), he realizes that he must fulfill his destiny by returning home, facing his past, and assuming the throne as the rightful king.
If you’re like me and you’re struggling with this feeling, I encourage you to dive into the Word and research what God has to say about this for yourself. If you don’t know what to pray, try something like this:
God, I accept Your invitation to be Your child, which makes me royalty. Thank You for the gift of grace; and though I may share in your suffering, I thank You for allowing me to share in Your glory. Amen.
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1 Comment
Thanks