Mad At Hell

Last night was an incredible gathering for the people who meet in my small group. We use a curriculum based on the message I do each week. We, like always had good food and enjoyable conversations prior to beginning our study.

But last night's time of study was especially powerful. Our focus was Judges 6 & 7 and the defying-the-odds-to-go-Over-the-Edge life of Gideon. Of course it is our understanding that Gideon's life is the life we have all been called to live. As Christ was the ultimate over-the-edger, God wants lead us all where Christ went--where it is not comfortable, predictable, or safe--but to where life is good.

Two key questions emerged as we discovered what God had to do in Gideon's life to use him. Since God had to change the way Gideon saw himself we asked, "What will God need to change in the way you see yourself before he can use you in an over the edge way?" You should have heard the honesty and trust people expressed sharing what God needed to do within them. Probably some of you have the same challenges before God can use you: self-doubt, fear of failure, confidence, control--things we all struggle with. We prayed for God to help us with those things.

The second question was based on good anger...the kind Jesus had in the temple, David had towards Goliath, and Gideon had about the plight of the people. Gideon was so angry about the condition of his people that he didn't have the normal reactions people have when they see an angel (fainting, terror, losing bodily control, etc). He got in the angel's face basically and questioned the assertion that, "God is with you," as the angel said. But the angel who later became God himself told Gideon to go in "this" strength, the strength of his anger for the condition of the people and lead them in defeating the Midianites who oppressed them.

"This strength" is that which burns in righteous indignation within you. What is it that burns in you? What is it that makes you question God and or even be angry enough to get in an angel's face? What is it that makes you not "mad as hell" but mad at hell for the evil in the world? Is it racism? Is it child pornography? Is it broken homes? Is it disease, hunger, or injustice? Is it the fact that millions of people all round us are going to spend eternity in hell? What makes you mad?

We came to a painful conclusion last night...we are not mad enough. Either it is the busyness of life, or comfort, or money, but something has us all going through life singing, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Our anger-motivated-I'm-taking-a stand-for-Christ-lives amounted to little more than putting a fish on our cars. Not good considering the fact that when we get mad it is probably road rage. Sadly our anger is usually about a perceived injustice to ourselves not others.

God we need your help...we need a cause. We need something to burn within us. We have been lukewarm for far too long. You would rather have us be cold-hearted or red-hot for you than be passionless and tepid for you. Whatever is choking out the fire that should burn within us for you and others please release its grip or show us its fingers. And God, identify and ignite what things we should burn for. We are tired of just going through the motions...take us over the edge!