He's Like a Lion

Sitting at City Cafe with my teammates and a couple of our students drinking iced coffee and lemon teas; I listened to Dalin speak about the king and his recent passing. The conversation reminded me of the numerous sentiments I had read grading my students homework assignments earlier that day....

Jesse and I had no idea what innocently asking our students to write about the Pchum Ben holiday would turn into when the king died that same week. I shared that with her since she knows many of our students at the youth center and we began discuss why the Cambodian people were so sad and united in their mourning. Our student, Chhuy, wrote about how "children, teenagers, adults, and even elderly people" cried out loud when they heard the news. I cannot imagine what that day must have sounded like, as my team and I were miles away in a village praying and interceding with orphans for Cambodia and its people. (It certainly gives me greater insight to those two fiery little boys who continued to lift up their voices after all the others had stopped.)

 Dalin explained that this king was very important, because of all the things he had done to help Cambodia. He helped build homes and hospitals, most notably he is responsible for helping Cambodia gain independence from France and Thailand. She mentioned how wise and intelligent the king was in world politics. He could speak 7 languages, and had a great relationship with China-which is where he was when he died.

Then just as we were about to leave to get back to the base for our classes, a video montage of the king's 9 decades of life and accomplishments began playing on the television on the cafe- which usually has some awkward khmer soap opera or music video that looks like you'd have to be on acid to actually consider it entertainment-. A black and white photograph of the king scrolled across the screen and we commented on how handsome he was. That's when Dalin told us the king was only 15 when he came into power.

 All of sudden it hit me, no wonder these people are so united. Every Khmer person I talked to about the Pchum Ben holiday (held over 15 days culminating on the final day with a celebratory offering to the monks at pagodas for people's dead ancestors) mentioned how grieved they were. I had students who would barely talk after class, walk up to me and share their heart. Of course, they were glad to have come together and took part in this annual ceremony that is ingrained in Buddhist culture, but they were very much a part of the atmosphere of honoring and mourning the king in their county. For a man who had lead them well over the course of 75 years. Coming from the United States of America, where a president's term can only last eight years at best, it is so foreign to think of how this man really meant to this people. John F. Kennedy is the only person I can attach any similar weight (there was a picture of the King at the JFK memorial). Yet, the king's death is not a sudden tragedy. He lived a full life. He loved much. And was loved much in return.

Word around Cambodia (and even on the news) is that one night the king's face could be seen in the half-moon. Dalin was telling me how she, too, looked up into the night's sky. She said she is unsure of what she saw. However, reports from her friends, newsmedia, and people in other countries leant their testimonies to seeing the king's face in the heavenlies that night. Which is now all on FB for all to see:)

Later that night we had team time, our leaders surprised us with a movie night at the 3D theatre for one of Matt Scap's last evenings with us. Somehow we narrowed the 50 movie choices down to Lion King. Disney movies are just as good, if not better, when you're older I think. Number one: I like being able to understand everything that is going and being said. Number two: my spirit is now mature enough to grasp the simple things that point to Jesus. My epiphany while watching this childhood classic happened during the scene where Mufasa is disciplining Simba, teaching him a lesson and imparts the knowledge that the stars represent the kings of old how as his father, he'll never leave him even if he's not always their. There's a lot in that small interaction. I think a lot of times as Christians we hear things that seem so contrary to the Gospel and God we follow, so we disregard it. But I challenge you to take that which offends you and examine it anyway.

When Simba is done running from what he doesn't understand and follows the crazy monkey down the winding path to water and gazes into the pool, he finally begins to see. At first, all he takes in is his own reflection. Only when he really looks deep does he recognize that what he's actually beholding is his father's relection. "He lives inside of you," Rafiki narrates this revelation not for Simba but for the audience. Mufasa's spirit bursting forth through those cumulus clouds is almost chilling for me to think about. I mean, James Earl Jones voice is epic, but it also resonates with the voice of God. "You have forgotten who you are and so you have forgotten me." Just before coming to DTS, Father spoke something very similar to me. He called out my own Hakuna Matata attitude of apathetic mediocrity. I was birthed for a greater purpose and just because I didn't know how to get there didn't mean I knew how to live a good life on my own. Thankfully God does not punish his children, like Mufasa, he is slow to anger and means to discipline us; to guide us to and through our destiny.

The giant spirit lion in the clouds speaking identity, hope, and kingdom to his son is not an animated character or a fairy tale. He is not a nice idea or a story for our children. He is real, he's alive, and he's mighty enough to save us from ourselves. As followers of Christ we sing this song, "My God is not dead, he's roaring like a lion" Really think about what that song is saying in this context. Think about Mufasa rescuing his naive son and his friend who ran off and deliberately disobeyed him, remember with what heroics he ended up sacrificing his life for Simba's, and how after all of that he came in the clouds to call him higher. All those other stars in the sky may have been great kings, but his son was to bringing forth the kingdom right now! And Timon and Pumba, Nala, and even crazy old Rafiki were right behind him once he remembered who he was.

I think it is such an encouraging picture of the Kingdom we are bringing. That we serve a God who waited for us and pursued us even when we didn't listen. We serve a King who laid down his life as a love offering. One who has given us his spirit and power and promised to return for us soon. My God is a Lion whose roar is more stirring than Mufasa's. And He's not dead, deaf, or mute to my cries or desires because every part of him lives in me; man made in Father's image. But I have to choose to gaze in the water. When I see his reflection and feel his spirit inside me it is then that I will be able to hear his voice and walk in his confident authority. The fruit of this is life and life to the fullest.

So, the king of Cambodia, Lion King of Pride Rock and King of Kings. What's impressed upon my heart tonight is Jesus you are worth it all Lord, every nation, every song. Amen.