Energy and insights of justice to those who guide and decide, strength and prowess to those who guard and protect. Isaiah 28:6 The Message, emphasis added
A few years ago, a study of the lioness led me to the concept of prowess.
Lionesses are the only large cats who hunt as one. They are highly skilled huntresses, and their coordinated effort is breathtaking. For this reason, the lioness is considered the height of hunting prowess.
According to my laptop’s Encarta thesaurus, prowess encompasses the terms ability, skill, expertise, competence, dexterity, aptitude, and proficiency. In addition I love this double-edged definition from Webster’s College Dictionary:
“1. Exceptional ability, skill, or strength; 2. Exceptional valor or bravery.”
Like the lioness, you too have prowess. There is exceptional ability, strength, or valor waiting to be realized in your life. It may be in hiding, waiting to be encouraged to develop, but never doubt that it is there.
God hides talents and abilities deep within each of us. Our quest is to unearth and hone them. Prowess might say, “I don’t know or do everything, but what I know, I choose to do well.”
So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be… Romans 12:5–6 The Message
You are called to be a marvelously functioning part of Christ’s body, which in my opinion is another expression of prowess! God is inviting one and all to take their positions—everyone in their place, everyone in their strength.
What is it that you do well? What is it that makes your heart beat faster? This week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it looks like to hone the skills He’s given you. May we never be content with living small lives!
