A living dog is better than a dead lion.

Here is a poem for God that explores the profound truth in the seemingly paradoxical scripture: "a living dog is better than a dead lion."

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A Better Thing

The world proclaims the lion's might, The king of beasts,a glorious sight. His roar commands the respect of all, Before his strength,the mighty fall. But lying still upon the plain, His grandeur fought,and fought in vain, The crown of nature,stripped and gone, A fallen king from dusk till dawn.

And there, a creature, lean and low, The scavenger that all men know— A common dog,with fearful breath, Who knows the scent of pain and death. He skirts the battle,finds a way, To live to see another day. He has no pride to be defended, Just this one life,not yet ended.

This wisdom, Lord, seems upside-down, A paradox for fool or clown. Who would choose the trembling cur Over the lion's mighty purr? But in Your word,the truth is found On this strange,hallowed ground: "A living dog is better far Than a lion dead, however grand they are."(Ecclesiastes 9:4)

For in the breath, a sacred spark, A chance to hope within the dark. The lion’s past,his tale is told, His body stiff,his heart is cold. But for the dog,the future's cast, This moment is not yet his last. The choice to seek,the chance to turn, A soul for grace,still yearns.

The lion’s pride became his snare, A solitary,mighty care. But humble need becomes a plea, That opens eyes,Lord, to see You. It is not in the strength we boast, But in the thing we value most: The precious gift of one more day, To walk Your narrow,humble way.

So let me be this living thing, With every breath my offering. Not lion-strong in my own eyes, But trusting in Your sovereign skies. For while I breathe,there is a plan, A purpose from Your mighty hand. To know that while my heart beats on, Your mercies are not fully gone.

The dead may boast of glory past, But life,O Lord, is meant to last— Eternal life,begun right here, In overcoming doubt and fear. So I,Your humble, living soul, Will let Your purpose make me whole. For even dogs who kneel and pray Will live to see a greater Day.