Lessons from Lions

 

On a recent trip to Africa, I was amazed by the wisdom of lions. I saw a pride of three lions, a male and two females, display the brilliance of teamwork, trust, and balance.

Teamwork-

I watched these lions in a beautiful symphony of teamwork as they engaged in a hunt. I was in a jeep on a flat surface below a hill. The lions saw an antelope on top of the hill who was their target. One-by-one, they headed off for the hunt, without a sound, and spread themselves out. 

The first female lion, known as the chaser, went up the hill to pursue the antelope. The second female lion waited at the bottom of the hill to kill the antelope that the chaser would hopefully chase down the hill. The male lion lay behind her in case he was needed to complete the kill or do it entirely.

The drama then began. The first lion dashed up the hill to get the antelope, while the other two lions waited intensely to do the kill. They had each walked so slowly and deliberately to their spots that it was incredible to watch. They were so intense in their prowl, and now focused in their attention, I could hardly take a breath because of the suspense. The second female and male lion’s eyes were focused on the chaser lion, hoping that she would succeed in her chasing task. Unfortunately, for them, she could not chase the antelope down the hill, and one-by-one, they returned to a resting place at the bottom of the hill. 

When the lions walked back, they did not sulk. They had done their duty and would wait for the next opportunity. Their teamwork, however, was a masterful example of giving team members an assigned role and of each member being committed to their goal. Sometimes goals are attained on the first attempt, and sometimes they take mores attempts. These lions looked strong and well-nourished, though, so I trusted that a future hunt would bring success.

Trust- 

The lions also embodied trust in how they handled the failed hunt. After the hunt, they rested peacefully. Their faces and behaviors showed no signs of stress. They sat in serenity, enjoying the beauty of the African plain. 

They trusted that another opportunity would come for some meals. Perhaps, a herd of antelope was over the hill, would come towards them, and provide multiple meals. They trusted that more would come. God, the creator and helper for all, would provide, and they would have their food needs met. They would always have enough.

As one who tends to fear if I’ll have enough of life’s basics, I was impressed with the lions’ accepting and serene response to the hunt. They intuitively knew that an opportunity for another meal would come. If I spent the week observing the lions, I probably would’ve seen multiple successful hunts. 

God always provides, whether it’s for his creatures in the wild or those living in cities, suburbs, and towns across the globe. One just needs to trust and seize opportunities to have one’s needs met.

Balance-

The lions also demonstrated balance during the twenty minutes I watched them. After the hunt, they came to a resting place at the bottom of the hill and rolled around on their backs, playing like house cats. They look so sweet and innocent, I wanted to scratch their tummies and say, “Hello kitties.” Good sense reminded me I was watching ferocious lions, though, so I stayed in the jeep.

It was incredible, though, to watch these dangerous lions, so intent on killing an innocent creature, and then returning to play, like children running around elementary school playgrounds with no cares in the world passing their mind. They were fully in the moment, enjoying some recreation after the work of their hunt.

After their playtime, the lions rested on all fours. They looked back-and-forth across the rolling hills of green grass, small bushes, trees, and streams. I felt like I was watching paradise. The beauty of their rest was like a visual of the rest that God promises to those who submit to him. The lions willingly surrendered to the life they had been dealt.

They smoothly transitioned between their times of work, play, and rest. They were peaceful and content. It didn’t matter that the day’s work didn’t materialize to a meal. They still let themselves rest instead of overdoing and racing around trying to find a next opportunity. Later, they’d see an animal as they traveled onward, or one would unknowingly come into their path. They didn’t need to worry about such future events. They could just enjoy their time of rest, so they yawned, lay down, and sat peacefully. They lived the wisdom of “The Lion King” song, “Hakuna Matata.” “It means no worries.”

I then said goodbye to the lions, and drove off to see more beautiful wildlife on the game reserve. I took many photos of this beautiful scene, which remind me of the lions’ intuitive wisdom.

It’s taken me many years to learn the wisdom that these lions so easily displayed. The lions were so pure and beautiful, I felt like I was watching holiness in the flesh. It was a visual display of work, play, and rest that I and my fellows living in the wild beyond the jungle can benefit from. I thank the lions for this display and honor the creator who gifted them and all life with the wisdom to survive and thrive in God’s glorious creation.

Jennifer K. Jordan