Caged Lions: The Righteous Are Bold As Lions

Here’s to the caged lions, starved of action, who are sitting in church pews every weekend, disengaged, while having a deep yearning to impact eternity but not knowing how; to the ones who have been commissioned by the Creator of the universe to go and declare the Gospel message and see all of creation be redeemed. I have the amazing privilege to be a part of 420 Ministries, a missional community committed to ministering to Jesus and empowering others to live out the Gospel everyday. Everything that I’ve written in this book, I have learned and continue to learn through the seasons leading up to the birth of 420 Ministries. These seasons have been wilderness seasons for me, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. God has pulled me close to listen to what His heart beats for and it beats for His children. I’m going to spend my life going after all that Jesus paid for on the cross.I grew up in an amazing Christian home going to church every Sunday. This lasted for twenty years before God birthed a hunger in my own life. Most of what I had seen growing up was a form of Christianity, yet void of power. My family represented Jesus to me really well, and my mom led me to the Lord at age 11. I’m so grateful and full of honor for my family and church that I grew up in. They helped build a solid foundation of discipline and love for the Scriptures in my heart. However, they didn’t know the deepest desires of my heart that God had placed there before time began. What I wanted and what I was called to was the power of the Gospel to see people encounter a living God, not good ideas or teaching to gather around one day a week. How many Christians are out there like me that have grown up in church, were given all the answers intellectually, yet are longing to see the authentic power of God lived out every day? This is the reason I’m alive and I will spend the rest of my life adopting “bored Christians” who are called to more but just haven’t seen it yet. Growing up, I didn’t know what I didn’t know until I saw an example before me that unlocked something in my heart that longed to be filled by God. At 21 years old, for the first time in my life, I got a glimpse into why I was alive and why I was put on this earth. The Father created me to shine bright for His glory and to come fully into His righteousness so that I could be who I truly am; bold as a lion for the kingdom of heaven. I love to discuss theology but that’s not what this book is about. This book isn’t for the head, it’s for the heart; the heart that longs for more in this life. The Lord violated my intellect and understanding about Him so that He could get to my heart. Bill Johnson says in one of his sermons, “He’ll never violate His Word, but He will violate your understanding of His Word to transform your heart.” I pray that as you read this book that you would encounter the God of the Bible, and that He would awaken and set free the lion inside of you. You are called to make a difference. You were chosen and appointed to bear much fruit. You were designed to be a mirror, reflecting the glory and love of Jesus everywhere you go. May you be released and freed to do so in Jesus name.