I used to wonder why lions sneak up from the covers instead of up front.   They spook the unsuspecting herd, cause them to run amok then lie in wait for that one caught behind. 

From a helpless flock of sheep through a dazzle of zebras or even a tower of giraffes right to an intimidating parade of elephants the pride does not change its modus operandi – stealth.

The younger me had presumed a lion was this strong and fast runner which could run for Africa. ** [a slang us Nigerians coined for exaggeration.  In this case connoting a lion as having the staying power of an ultramarathoner] **

In time, an older me would eventually learn with surprise that a lion is only a sprinter and possesses no staying power.  A learning which helped me understand why it would always slink back after its prey runs off.  Unlike before where I had taken that to mean   “I am the king of the jungle and would not demean myself by running through the jungle with you when I can easily grab another”

“amara, what is all this talk about lions, running, preys et al? 

“Patient”.



“Stay with me while I weave this tapestry through the loom”.

I recall as a teenager staring at an illustration of Galatians 6 v 1 in a Good News Bible which sticks with me till date.  It was a community of travellers on a road. Each person across generations, carried a bundle on their head while their hands reached out to help lift up the extra baggage of the one in front.  That graphics was how I memorised that scripture. 

“amara!  Were we not talking of lions and preys now?  How did you deviate to bible and travellers?”

“come with me. It is taking shape”

“Meanwhile, do you know that even in all his majesty, it’s first instinct when caught by surprise is to flee not fight?

“no way amara, the king does not turn from anyone”



“like all animals including man, the urge to fight only kicks in after that split-second instinctive assessment of the situation.  It is not only cowards who walk away”

“Are you saying……?”



“do not derail my train of thoughts”

That strong and intelligent lion understands that it has no staying power to outrun a faster prey so it simply settles. It gets top pick when it hides out of sight and pounces on its prey unawares or it makes do with the weakest link in the chain.

“The weakest link?”



“yes, the stragglers”



“The little, elderly, infirm and such as cannot keep pace”



“intriguing. Go on…..”

Seeing as it is normal that those vulnerable ones at the back are the easiest preys, you may now grasp the import of that diagram I saw as a teenager.  While we are all programmed to self-preserve and run away at the first hint of trouble, our maker simply appealed to us to rise above our baser instincts by watching out for others.

“you mean like wars?”



“I mean like charities”

Like the travellers on that long path who in addition to their own load lent a hand to support their fellow traveller, so God has called us as we walk Life’s road to cover an exposure when we see one.

“hmmm, you finally wove them together”



“It was easy because it is very personal”



“personal?”

“yes.  As I grappled with cancer and her attendant punches in the mire, most of the passers-by were not only spectators.  A lot jumped into the fray with me and provided support. Such level of support without which I would have been meat for the lion”

Therefore, as we race through life; we must remember to pause and lend a hand to those plodding their way through. While that singular act might delay your estimated time of arrival at your Port, it could be the single determinant for the one left behind.