CLAIM VICTORY

Hey Fam! 

Last week I found myself hanging out with my daughter on the couch watching Disney plus. (Shout out to Disney plus, the unsung hero for families across the world.) We were watching the Good Dinosaur, a movie my daughter has been watching on repeat for probably the past 6 days.

Pixar has this knack for tearjerkers that I underestimate - what they can pack into a cartoon is pretty astonishing.

One scene in particular caught my eye this weekend. This little dinosaur has been scared his entire life. He was unfortunately pushed into the unknown world and forced to learn how to survive. He was slowly learning what it was like to live in the wild. He eventually stumbled across this T-Rex family.

The little dinosaur asked the father T-Rex about the scar on his face one evening. The T-Rex told a story about three crocodiles and a crazy battle. In the end, he survived.

The little dinosaur was in awe of how brave he was and vowed never to be afraid again like his new friend. But big T-Rex corrected this little dinosaur saying that he WAS scared. Listen to how he responded:

"If you ain't scared of a croc biting you in the face, you ain't alive! Listen kid.... you can't get rid of fear. It's like mother nature. You can't beat her or out run her. But you can get through it, find out what you're made of."

Pixar, you did it again. You were able to drop some crazy life wisdom into a cartoon.

I just can't shake this dialogue.

I have recognized some fear, frustration, and especially concern for the unknown increasing in our society. The season of life is lasting longer than anticipated. We just don’t know what to expect or what’s coming.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday where we recognize that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, has come. (The Messiah is IN THE BUILDING!) However, it was completely different than what the people may have expected.

Many expected a warrior king. What they got was a Servant Leader.

Many saw Him as a conquering king riding in on a valiant steed (a donkey colt). What they were witnessing was a Sacrificial Lamb riding in to be slaughtered.

I'd often wondered how Jesus actually felt about this whole thing. If He ever doubted.

When Jesus was in the garden the night before He was to die, He shared with His apostles He was in anguish. He broke down on His knees and literally sweat blood asking God to let this cup pass from Him, meaning the role He played in saving the world by His death.

Now let me ask you a question. You think Jesus was scared? I believe that He is God, but He is also fully man. You think He felt fear?

This is what I do know - Scripture says that He went to His Father three times, and each time Jesus ended with, “but not my will but your will be done.” Regardless of how Jesus felt, He died to His own feelings, instead submitted Himself to the will of His Father. He put His hope in a higher power, not in His own understanding.

He trusted the ultimate victory into His Father's hands however that would happen. 

So what do we learn from these stories?

Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's doing what is right in the middle of being afraid. Courage is not courage if there is no fear present. Courage shows up and begins to grow as fear is conquered.

Faith isn't the absence of fear. It's believing in a power and authority much greater than your concerns, anxieties, and understandings. 

A quote from Oswald Chambers in his devotional book “My Utmost for His Highest.”

"God doesn't give us overcoming life. He gives us life as we overcome."

(1 John 5:4,5)

Palm Sunday seems to be a Sunday of celebration - Hosanna the Messiah has come! But, as we look to holy week, we know the story gets worse before it gets better.

It's not the story many expected. It's not the Messiah many wanted. Nevertheless, God knew what He was doing. God already had victory coming. And it was through the hardest trial that the greatest victory actually came.

So in this season of unknown, I encourage you to take heart in a hope and a victory that is coming. We may not be through the worst of it yet. You might be a little bit afraid and scared, but in the midst of all this, let's claim a courage and a hope that goes beyond our own understanding.

It may not be the season we wanted, or the motivation that we hoped for. But, If we would die to ourselves, embrace the will of our Father, and trust His ways, we may see a victory greater than we ever anticipated on the other side of this.

Claim Victory! 

Matthew 16:24

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

• Trip Lee - Sweet Victory

• KB - 100