a tribe that roars

When you are given a nickname in your childhood, seemingly out of playful thought from your friends, you do not think about what that name might mean in the future. What it can reflect in the spirit. 

Casually, in one group I was a part of years ago, everyone wanted fun little nicknames. We were young teenagers, so they were not the most creative or well-thought-out pseudonyms. But mine has been called up from memory’s depths the last few days, as I face one of life’s turbulent and terrifying storms. 

Lionheart. 

Why my friends chose this name for me, I do not recall. I loved it of course, and it always seemed to stir something in me that I did not understand at the time. Or at least, not fully. Out of curiosity, I typed the name into Google and did some searching. Besides random pop culture items and the famous King Richard the Lionheart, a little dictionary definition emerged. 

Lionheart – noun – a person of exceptional courage and bravery

The name came back to me when I read a verse the Lord led me to just today: “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NIV).

We do not lose heart. When staring into the tangible darkness that seems too heavy to move or see through, our knees do not quake. Our hearts do not cease to beat. 

To be lionhearted means to stand firm, despite the thunderstorm. But when it is time, you charge that wall with every fiber of your being and take the enemy down. No retreat. No thought of losing. Fighting from a place of victory. Take aim and pray—not from your circumstance, but from a place of authority and strength. 

God does not call us to be people of fear, but a tribe that roars and takes the land.