Agents of SMASH

There is no hiding the fact that as a child growing up I had a favorite super hero. Like any boy, the dreams of super strength, speed, or the ability to fly captures everyone. For some reason I was drawn to the strongest of them all, The Incredible Hulk!

I used to watch in awe as Bruce Banner transformed into an unstoppable being whose strength was unmeasured. I dreamed of one day how maybe I could be just like him and smash all my enemies to bits. My greatest nemesis as a child was my older brother. Most of my dreams back then were to be able to suddenly bulk up and actually win one of our many fights (didn't happen till I was 15, but I failed to turn green!).  As I grew older and realized being a green, unstoppable force was a fantasy, I like every other boy forgot about my hope!

Now as a dad of two young boys, I again have been introduced to world and wonders of dreaming. They, like any other young man have watched in wonder as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and yes, the HULK, have gathered together and fought against evil. Recently they began watching a little cartoon series about the Hulk and his Agents of SMASH. Like a good dad, I watched with them and I was again reminded of my boyhood dreams.

Whenever the HULK got mad, he had one simple mission, to smash his opponent into submission. His anger drove his strength, however there was even a deeper key to his power. It was his RAGE! If an enemy ever poked hard enough, they could drive the HULK to a place of pure rage where his strength was at its height, but his ability to think disappeared with his rage. Hulk had to not only fight his enemies, he also had to fight an internal battle to control his rage. If he wanted to be of use and actually help, he had to not only use his mighty strength, he also needed his mind to be clear. That was the only way he could be effective in his war against evil.

Now, you might ask, why do I write all this. Well, it is because there is still a desire in me sometimes to be like the Hulk. I still see things that enrage me and I would be lying if I did not say that I really wanted to start smashing! However, I have always held off because I was told letting your anger control you or drive your decisions is a sin. And for the most part, I would agree. However, in recent studies of the Holy Scriptures, I found something of interest. I found Gods very own "Agents of Smash!" People God used to set His people back on a right path or free from their enemies by using their physical strength and to SMASH the things around them. The key was their smashing was with a purpose, to turn the eyes of the people back to God.

So maybe a guy about to turn 40 can still dream of being a super hero and joining Gods "Agents of SMASH!"

In coming days I want to share some of the stories that I mentioned above as I was literally amazed how God used them to rid His kingdom of His enemies and to remind His people of the necessity to obey Him!