“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
This is the theme verse for CrossLife Christian Academy this year. I should also mention that this year is the first school year we’ve had a mascot: The CrossLife lion.
He’s strong. He’s courageous. And he rrrrrrrroarrrrrrrs!!
So do the school kids. Every Wednesday I get to spend 15 minutes in God’s Word with the entire student body and their parents. It’s a highlight of the week for me. Together, we’re learning what this awesome Bible verse means, and how we can better remember it.
To do this, we’ve started roaring. It goes like this:
I say: Be strong.
The kids say: ROAR!
Be courageous.
ROAR!
Don’t be afraid.
ROAR!
Don’t be discouraged.
ROAR!
Okay, the idea is that these are commands and we’re building a courageous faith in God. We are his warriors, and we don’t wiper around like we’re wounded. We’re more than conquerors. We’re victors in Christ!
But, I tell the kids, sometimes you won’t feel like roaring. Then, you need to listen to God’s roar. I reminded them to roar, and to roar even more loudly and ferociously because they are sounding out the roar of God himself.
The Lord.
ROAR!
Your God.
ROAR!
Will be with you wherever you go.
THANK YOU, GOD!
Try it, if you dare. I guarantee that if you do, the devil will be afraid and cower into the corner for a while.
PRAYER: Jesus, you are the Lion, victorious King and Conqueror, full of courage and never afraid. Fill children with your divine courage, and in a fearful world help us teach them that they can ROAR! Amen.
PROJECT: Can you find the CrossLife lion on the school Facebook page? https://www.facebook.com/CrossLifeChristianAcademy