Part
One: Short-Lived Outrage
By Lexi Cole Ellis
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the
rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
On a recent trip
home, my sister and her husband had their airplane seats unexpectedly switched
to first class due to the flight being oversold. I was excited for her, but it
reminded me of several negative incidents involving the overbooking of flights
a few years ago. It was a public relations nightmare; people were outraged. And
while overbooking definitely benefited my sister and brother-in-law, I realized
that all that outrage back then didn’t actually change anything.
It’s because we
are a culture of short-lived outrage. Our attention spans only last until the
new controversy comes to consume the news and social media. And yet outrage, in
general, isn't unbiblical. Jesus showed extreme anger when He saw those taking
advantage of God's House, using it for profit instead of worship. [1] But Jesus’ outrage was over the
right things and long-lasting.
Jesus' outrage
came when He saw God's people dishonoring God and making it about their own
achievement and status…instead of lifting up God's name. His righteous anger
was consistent with what has outraged God since Adam and Eve first sinned.
Scripture shows countless examples of God's wrath with the Israelites when they
dishonored God’s name.
Like Jesus, our
outrage needs to be long-lived over the right things. Micah 6:8 gives some
guidance over what those right things are. What does the Lord require of us?
"To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." Jesus
carried that command over to the New Testament when He gave the Great
Commission to "…go and make disciples." [2]
We should be
outraged about barriers that get in the way of justice and mercy. We should be
angry when “idols” are put above our relationship with God. We should be mad
about the things that prevent us from “going and making disciples.” Our hearts
should break over the things that break God’s heart.
What would happen
if I took some of my “poorly placed, short-lived outrage” and applied it
towards injustice and the promoting of the gospel long-term? What would happen
if I focused less on the media frenzy of the moment, and instead learned more
about how I can advocate for the oppressed and share God’s redeeming truth?
The outrage over
airlines’ overbooking flights has since died down. May our outrage over
injustice not.
Going Deeper:
- What currently outrages you? How does it
align with righteous, biblical outrage?
- Take time to listen to Casting Crown’s song
“Jesus, Friend of Sinners” at some point today. Click HERE to listen to it.
Further Reading:
Lexi’s family consists of her, her husband, Andrew, her
daughter, Sloane, and her dog, Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and
Writing and serves with Children’s Ministries.
[1] Matthew 21:12-17
[2] Matthew 28:18-20
