He’s in You

I’m a big Disney fan. Maybe that’s why my daughter holds the world record for visits to Disneyworld, Disneyland, and photos with Mickey and friends – even in her 30’s – influenced largely by Mom and Dad of course. One of my all-time favorite Disney movies is The Lion King.

There’s a particular scene that caught my attention recently – and you say – “You just watched the Lion King?”. Why yes, I did – funny you should ask. Colleen and I (mostly her) are teaching a class on Identity – Identity in Christ. To close out the last session we decided to use the Lion King as a parallel to the journey toward healing and the discovery of “who we are”. I’ll describe one of the scenes to you.

Rafiki shows up as Simba is struggling with his choice to leave the pride land (“forced” out much earlier by Scar) after bumping into Nala during his worry-free life with Pumbaa and Timon.

Rafiki is bellowing out this song as he bounds along ready to encounter Simba. “Asante sana! Squash Banana! We we nugu! Mi mi apana!” Not sure what that means but I do know that the name Rafiki means “friend”. A friend not afraid to confront Simba with a challenge.

Rafiki asks, “Whooo… are you?

Simba replies, “I thought I knew…. Now I’m not so sure.”

At least he’s honest. We could learn a thing or two from Simba. When our world falls apart, rather than continuing to fill ourselves with life numbing behaviors, why not pursue the answer to that question? Simba did.

Rafiki: Well, I know who you are. Shh. Come here. It’s a secret. Asante sana! Squash banana! We we nugu! Mi mi apana!

Simba: Ernh! Enough already! …What’s that supposed to mean anyway?

Rafiki: It means you are a baboon– and I’m not. {laughs}

Simba: {Moving away} I think… you’re a little confused.

Rafiki: Wrong! I’m not the one who’s confused; you don’t even know who you are!

Simba: {Irritated, sarcastic} Oh, and I suppose you know.

Rafiki: Sure, I do! You’re Mufasa’s boy!

Simba: You knew my father?

Rafiki: {Monotone} Correction– I know your father.

Simba: I hate to tell you this, but… he died. A long time ago.

Rafiki: Nope. Wrong again! Hah, hah, hah! He’s alive– and I’ll show him to you. You follow old Rafiki; I know the way. Come on!

Off they run through a maze of branches, roots, vines, trees, and reeds to a pond where Rafiki tells Simba to look over the edge into the glass-like water. He sees his reflection but balks at the idea that his Father lives.

Rafiki: Noo. Look … harder. You see … he lives in you.

Mufasa: {Quietly at first} Simba . . .

Simba: Father?

Mufasa: Simba, you have forgotten me.

Simba: No. How could I?

Mufasa: You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life.

Simba: How can I go back? I’m not who I used to be.

Mufasa: Remember who you are. You are my son…….

This is sooo….. good. I love the parallel. We MUST remember who we are. Mufasa, God our Father, imparts a simple truth. “YOU ARE MY SON”.

God calls us “back” to Him. When we make life-changing decisions that lead us in a direction that He never intended for us, He waits patiently for us to realize the truth. That our true-self is waiting to be reclaimed. The self that God ordained for us to live out – when He “knew us from the foundation of the world”.

A simple message for you today my friend. He’s in You. Your DNA, your character, your total being is a reflection of God’s image – in a life meant to be different from the world. One that was tainted by sin but redeemed by Christ.

What will you do with your life? The life God intended for you? Unique in every way. There is no temptation known to man that God won’t provide a way out. Take it, pursue it.

 For Simba, two dear friends delivered a message of healing and restoration – Nala and Rafiki. They called forth his true-identity. God’s character in him. If God can use a lion and a baboon to deliver a message to Simba, he can use anyone or anything to call you back to Him. Listen for that voice. That still small voice that may be the Holy Spirit – Rafiki in Simba’s case.

You may be in a place of complacency, all-out rebellion, or just in a season of not-knowing. It makes no difference. It only requires surrender to the truth that God will meet you right where you are. Whether in the reflection of yourself or in the reflection of His Son.

The simple truth is this: HE’S IN YOU.

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