Hakuna Matata

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

Anxiety can weigh us down. Our hearts can be heavy with guilt, shame, regret, sorrow, worry. We might not know where to go, who to turn to, and how to find the strength and courage to express it. For a young lion cub named Simba, he was told he killed his father by his uncle Scar, who appeared to be nice and trustworthy. This young cub was filled with guilt and shame, so he ran far from his home in Pride Rock, leaving his responsibilities of being a king behind. The youngest son in a parable Jesus told, in Luke 15, squandered his father’s money away, forcing him into a life of servanthood. Even the pigs were taken better care of than him. The son was forced to return home, humble himself, and ask for forgiveness from his father. Eventually a friend reached out to Simba, and explained that without him, the land was falling apart because it was in the hands of Scar. When both Simba and the son returned home they were welcomed. Pride Rock was happy to have their king back, and the son’s father was overwhelmed with joy. Both Pride Rock and the father thought they were dead, but were happy to have them home again. If only they realized their worries and anxieties could have been handed over to God, then their road would not have been so broken. Their hearts would not have been heavy with pain. And they would have been surrounded by their loved ones.

Satan is powerful, and he is constantly looking for someone to tear apart. He came in the form of Simba’s uncle. Scar killed Simba’s dad, but tricked Simba into thinking it was his fault, as well as encouraging him to leave Pride Rock. Satan came in the form of greed, entitlement, and reckless living in the parable. There is a phrase which Simba’s friends share with him called, “Hakuna Matata.” This means no worries for the rest of your days. Now that is easier said than done. Every day we are worrying about something because every day Satan is lurking around. But every day we have God with us. We are able to cast our worries on Him. These worries make us suffer, but God turns the suffering into strength. He restores us with His grace. And someday we will truly have no worries for the rest of our days. Hakuna Matata.

Prayer
Almighty God, help us to cast our worries on You. Satan tries to tear us apart, but Your grace restores us each day. May we humble ourselves, and come to You always. Amen