REFLECTIONS

Lukewarm

Treasure hunting was a game my grandmother frequently played with her grandchildren. She would confine us in a place so we were unable to see her hiding little treasures about the house. Once released, we raced all about in search of them. All the while she watched for the delight on our faces with each treasure discovered until, toward the end, a few treasures remained unfound. Then she began to give us clues. “You’re getting warm,” she encouraged when we drew close to one of them, or “You are getting cold,” she warned as we drifted in the wrong direction. But when she declared us to be lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, she offered us no meaningful direction at all.

Such was Jesus’ criticism of the church in Laodicea. The church lived contentedly with their deeds, but in reality it stood for nothing. It offered neither the refreshing nature of cold, nor the energy heat produces. The church in Laodicea was only lukewarm.

Revelation is filled with symbolism in the pictures it paints of the future; but the letters to the seven churches are pretty clear. Jesus critiqued each of them for errors in their ways, and each were commended for what they did well—each of them, that is, except the church of Laodicea. They received no commendation at all.

Churches are communities of believers longing for strength and grace to fill their lives; but my thoughts drift from the churches effectiveness to my personal role in it. Am I lukewarm, offering neither cooling refreshment nor energizing heat? Would Jesus want to spit me out because I am content with neutrality?

God has a purpose for every life. For Adam and Eve it was to “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” For Abraham it was to father a nation; and Moses was called to lead that nation from slavery into the land God had promised them. Apostle Paul was called to be a teacher to the Gentiles, and Jesus came into the world to save sinners. None were asked to be lukewarm and none of them were.

So I ask. “Am I effectively serving God’s purpose for my life?” It’s much easier to be lukewarm than it is to “go and make disciples of all nations…” But reflecting the Savior by living a refreshing and energizing life like his is the assignment given.

And staying lukewarm won’t get the job done.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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