Delicate Balance

Year 4-Day 22:  Today, I am grateful for "the delicate balance" of life. 

Just a heads up, our MJHS students are presenting The Lion King Jr this weekend and I am so excited. So...there may be a few days of Lion King related posts. It can't be helped.

"The Lion King" was Chase's first movie in a theater. It is full of fun, wit and wisdom.  I believe it was one of the first of the Disney animated movies to very intentionally script with adult messages. It appealed to the parents, as well as the children. It made for huge box office success and it would go on to become a breathtaking stage show that is still running. It was Walker's first live theater production. I think it will be a forever favorite for the Smith family. 

I love "The Lion King's" wit, but even more...the wisdom.  Ask my favorite song and I must confess...Scar's anthem "Be Prepared" may take first place some days.It is a song with a terrible message of clawing your way to the top, self promotion and opportunity, but the tune and the energy are undeniably fun. 

Another favorite..."The Circle of Life"...has great soul. Some say a great musical needs a spiritual/gospel song. Something with full chorus and the ability to connect at a deeper level than the music and lyrics would alone.  "The Circle of Life" nails it on every level. Really, Elton John and Tim Rice make an amazing combination for the entire score.

The Circle of Life (Elton John & Tim Rice)
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Beautiful, right?  The circle of life touches us all.  Each of us is a part of "the story" with our "individual stories", but it is so much bigger than than my story our yours.  Scar's message 

is "it's all about me" and Mufasa's lessons teach that from the tiniest creatures to the 

expanse of the universe, we are all connected. 

"As king, you need to understand that balance." -Mufasa

I love this line. Balance. What a beautiful thing when things are "in balance".  Interesting, 

isn't it...  that justice is often portrayed by balanced scales?  Life is not always fair, but we    have a God who is just and keeps things in balance. 

Sin...my own and the sins of others...can bring dark days and burdens.  Still, we are 

promised He will win. Life isn't always "fair" but he is always just.  I hear my own father's 

words of wisdom, "The wheels of God's justice grind slowly but excessively fine." 

Be patient. 

Life takes on new meaning when we let go of expectations, and recognize our Lord as king.When we let him guide, lead, teach and partner with us on our journey here, our experience becomes full and rich.  He promised the Holy Spirit and that he would never to leave us or    forsake us. He keeps his promises. All of them. 

Yet, He is sovereign, which means my plans are not always His plans! 

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28  

He brings and keeps the balance. This story, God's love affair with man, is not a short story.It is an amazing unfolding and it all ties together.  The more I read, the more enamored I     become.  It is a masterpiece. It is a living story where some of the details are still being 

written and lived out.  

Read Isaiah...Daniel...or Revelation. History has been known to repeat itself,  as the circle of life continues. Prophecy is given for then and for now. Isaiah is the most frequently quoted prophet in the New Testament - under the new covenant. Yes, it is very interesting.

In life's challenges, it is good to remember who is King. The one who holds us in the palm ofHis hand keeps the universe in balance and continues to give life. Hakuna Matata!  

We can rest in His love.

Today, I am grateful for "the delicate balance" of life....and the one who keeps the balance.