To Be Or To Be

No, that’s not an error or misquoted Shakespeare in the title of this blog. It is a reference to one of the things English speakers struggle with when learning the Spanish language, the two forms of the to be verb: estar and ser. In English, we don’t make a distinction, but in Spanish we differentiate between two different verb forms of to be depending upon the use of the word. Generally speaking, ser is used for more permanent conditions of someone or something, while estar is used for temporary or transient conditions. 

So what’s that have to do with anything? Recently, I’ve been thinking more about the importance of taking my thoughts captive. I’ve seen some not-so-pretty examples of what happens when I don’t take check of my thoughts. I could blame hunger and fatigue, which does play into it, but there is still the responsibility I have to guard my heart and my thoughts. I’m seeing more and more things I think don’t have anything to do with facts but with my own feelings and thoughts. They might even be related to past hurts or offenses and have nothing to do with current circumstances.

Over breakfast this morning, I was thinking about some blogs inspired by The Lion King which I wanted to write in December, but I haven’t written them yet. (I can see some eyes rolling already from my non-Disney fan friends, but please hang in there with me). In the movie, the Lion King, Mufassa has a son, which means his brother, Scar, is no longer in line for the the throne. Scar is less than pleased and devises a plan to become king. Scar uses Simba, the young lion cub and future king, in his plot, setting up a stampede that causes Mufassa’s death as he tries to rescue Simba from the stampede. When Simba realizes Mufassa, his father, is dead, Scar approaches and says, “What will your mother think? A boy who kills the king.” With those words the guilt and shame cause Simba to run far away to a people and a place not really his home. Simba, a lion, starts to eat bugs! Scar’s plan works, and he become’s king in Mufassa’s place. 

Doesn’t the same thing happen to us today? The Bible says the enemy goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour and destroy, just as Scar did to Simba. Someone says something and we take it to heart instead of seeing if it lines up with God’s truth. We take it as a ser, a permanent condition, rather than estar, something transient. I won’t even say temporary because some of these things aren’t even true. We, or maybe I should say I, can let uncontrolled thoughts and feelings try to define me, or others, like the verb ser in Spanish, but they’re not. Like Simba, I’m listening to a lie that causes me to live outside my kingdom, calling, and destiny.

Spoiler alert, if you haven’t seen The Lion King, Simba comes to his senses, returns home, and takes his rightful place as king, thanks to a friend that comes looking for him. We have a friend that’s done the same for us, Jesus. Because Jesus took my sin and shame, I need no longer walk in guilt, shame, and condemnation but in the fullness of life He has given us. I am thankful there are also people in my life, and I’m guessing yours too, that can help us distinguish the lies from the truth. 

I’m thankful for my friends, like Simba’s, that helped me see the truth and stop running and hiding in a place that’s not really my home. Facing that truth isn’t always easy, but I’ll continue to do the hard work to take every thought captive and submit it to Christ, not acting out of things that aren’t true. I sometimes take two steps forward and one step back. 

I’m also working on filling myself up with what He says because that’s permanent (ser) and that does not change (estar). I chose to believe, live, and act according to what He says. I have a place in the Kingdom and a job to do. It’s time to be about my Father’s business and not be wandering around in a kingdom that’s not my home. What about you?