Mountains Melt Like Wax

I was in class several weeks back completely engrossed in a lecture on 1 Corinthians. I had no idea how I could grow up in the church and still not know so much! It was awesome the way God was opening my eyes to verses I had never seen before. The Bible is such an exciting thing! It is living and active, and no matter how many times you read it, you can read it again and find something totally new, something that applies exactly to what you are going through at that very moment. (Sometimes it is scarily accurate.)

But two rows in front of me was a girl knitting. To chairs to the left of her a boy watched a tennis match. One row directly above him a girl texted and read a novel. Next to her a girl whispered and giggled with the boy behind her. I could connect almost every person in the classroom to an activity outside of 1 Corinthians.

I think we've all lost something. Even me. Maybe it's a product of growing up in the Church, or maybe it's simply a product of growing up in America, but there seems to be something missing from the average Christian here...

There used to be a time in which people would flock from miles around to hear the Word of God preached. In some places this still happens. One pastor I know in the Philippines preaches to hundreds of people every day! The little church there is poor. They spend what little income they receive from members on food and medical supplies to take care of other people. They don't have fog machines. They don't have youth garages with Guitar Hero. They don't have people with drums and guitars on a stage with cool lights. But they have more members huddled under a thatch roof than the building I attend.

When did we stop believing that authentic Christianity is what really draws people in, and start believing that fog and bright lights would be able to hide our hypocritical lifestyles enough to attract people? They are lost, not stupid!

There is no passion anymore. Nobody wants to listen to a teaching on 1 Corinthians, they would rather knit or text. When did God lose his power? When did we lose our awe? Where is the God who made mountains quake; who appeared in pillars of fire and billowing smoke? Where is that God in America? Where is the fear of the "Israelites"?


Awesome God,
Consume your people. Singe their hearts and scorch their souls. Set an unquenchable fire in them. Revive a nation of Israel in America. Set the Church ablaze. Shroud those who claim you in dark smoke. Cause them to tremble at the very thought of your awesomeness. Raise a nation of real Christians that flock around your name, that throw off the fog and don the smoke. May people be attracted by our genuineness.
Amen.

"The Lord reigns, let the Earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the Earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the Earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory!"
Psalm 97:1-6