The three lions
13 December 2009

There were three lions in a forest.

One day the monkey, who had been elected as the representative of all the animals of the forest, held a meeting and said: “We, the animals, know that the lion is the king of the forest, but there is a doubt in the air. There are three strong lions in this forest, so who must we pay tribute to? Which one of them should be our king?”

The three lions found out about the meeting and commented among themselves: “It’s true. The animals are right. The forest can’t have three kings. We need to figure out which one of us will be the chosen one.”

How are we going to figure this out?

That was the big question: they didn’t want to fight each other because they were good friends.

They were at a crossroads.

Once again, all the animals met to discuss a solution. They used different methods and brainstormed, and finally had an excellent idea. The monkey met with the three lions and told them what they had decided: “Well, gentlemen, we have a challenge that will solve our problem. The solution is Mount Difficult.”

“Mount Difficult? What are you talking about?” asked the lions.

“It’s simple,” pondered the monkey. We’ve decided that you three should climb Mount Difficult. Whoever reaches the top first will be crowned king.

Mount Difficult was the highest of all the mountains in the vast forest. They accepted the challenge. On the day of the challenge, thousands of animals gathered at the foot of the mountain to watch them climb.

The first lion attempted the climb. He didn’t make it. He was defeated.

The second lion attempted the climb. He didn’t make it. He was defeated.

The third lion attempted the climb. He didn’t make it. He was defeated.

The animals were curious and impatient; after all, which one would be crowned king since all three were unsuccessful? At that moment an old but wise eagle took the floor and said: “I know who should be king!” Everyone stood silent with high expectations.

“How do you know,” shouted everyone at the eagle.

“It’s simple,” said the wise eagle. “I was flying close by when I overheard what they said to the mountain on their way back down to the valley.”

The first lion said: “Mountain, you defeated me!”

The second lion said: “Mountain, you defeated me!”

The third lion also said: “Mountain, you defeated me, for now! But mountain you have reached your limits and I’m still growing.”

“The difference,” added the eagle, “is that the third lion had a winning attitude when faced with defeat and whoever thinks this way is greater than their problem: he is his own king. He is prepared to be a king to others.

All the forest animals enthusiastically applauded the third lion as he was crowned king.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY:

The size of your problems or difficulties doesn’t matter. Your problems, in most cases, have reached their climax and are already at their maximum level but you’re not. You’re still growing. You are greater than all your problems put together.

Mount Difficult has a certain size and limit but you haven’t reached your maximum level of performance or potential.

Intelligent Faith is God’s energy inside you. Use it as a tool for achieving your dreams. Don’t conform to the things you can see because you have access to the invisible (your dreams) by faith.

Be blessed in the name of the Lord!

Bishop Macedo