Call Me “Maybe”

by Tom Goodman

Do you have your feet on the gas and the brake at the same time?

It’s not a good technique for driving a car. And it’s not a good way to advance through life, either. If there’s something we know God wants us to do, our answer can’t be both “I’m on it” and “Give me a minute.”

That’s been our answer to God too often, though. I think that’s why we both cringe at and draw comfort from the Gideon story. Our story is too much like his story. When God called Gideon to rescue Israel from the Midianite hoards, publicly, he sounded the trumpet and rallied Israel to his side. But privately, he wavered.

How do we know? One word. Fleece.

Gideon laid out a wool fleece on the threshing floor and said to God, “If it’s really true that you’re calling me to save Israel from Midian, prove it. By morning, let the dew only settle on the fleece while the ground remains dry.” When those terms were met, though, Gideon said, “Um, what I really meant was: Make the fleece dry while the ground around it is covered with dew.” The terms were met again (Judges 6:36-40).

Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t an example of how to find God’s will. Gideon’s scheme wasn’t to confirm God’s will but delay it! It was the reluctant hero’s way of driving with his feet on the gas and the brake at the same time.

I hope you had a patient teacher when you learned how to drive. God is certainly patient with us as we learn how to obey him. God actually worked with what Gideon was willing to give him. In God’s mercy, he also nudges us past our fearful reluctance into courageous obedience.

Let’s go a little deeper into this truth this Sunday. Join me at 10am as we continue through our series called Step Up: Finding the Courage You Need.

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