Lukewarm - Not So Good

"I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait"
~from John Waller's "While I'm Waiting"

(If you are like me, you will search YouTube for the video and listen. Its wonderful)

I wrote this post for myself. God was speaking to me. In obedience, I wrote it. Its for all of us.

***
I love a good cup of coffee. You know, with all the cream and sugar. But I also enjoy my coffee hot. As soon as it begins to get lukewarm, I either have to zap it in the microwave or just dump it out and get a fresh, hot cup. There is nothing tasty about lukewarm beverages that are supposed to be served hot.

My husband likes a hot shower. I'm talking hot. Too hot for me, but just right for him. If I get in after he has taken a shower, I have to immediately move the dial to something a little more comfortable for me. In between hot and warm, otherwise I'm saying aloud, "Ouch! Too hot!"

Something comfortable for me.

Otherwise I'm saying, "Ouch! Too hot!"

Something comfortable for me.

Otherwise I'm saying, "Ouch! Too hot!"

I have not made a mistake in repeating these sentences. I am emphasizing these statements.

Read them as many times as you like. Maybe they will speak to you. They are speaking to me.

***

How close is too close?

Depends.

If someone is speaking to me, I have my own "comfort zone", my own "personal space". Most all of us do. Once someone invades that space, we become a little uncomfortable. Whether its their breath *smile* or just that uneasy feeling that you get, its too close. For comfort.

I love to be comfortable. When the weather is hot, I like to be cool. Sitting in my air conditioned house or swimming in my pool out back, both are very nice on hot summer days. Cool.

When its cold outside, I like to be warm. Cozy. Put on some comfy clothes. Sit by the fire. Warm.

Comfortable.

We do the same with God.

You know. Do the comfortable routine. What makes us feel good. Not too hot.

Lukewarm.

Not too close, for we might "smell" His breath *smile*.

But wait, don't we sing that song, "Jesus! Light of the world, breathe on us, breathe on us...."

Then He breathes on us.

What happens when He does that?

Do we get shivers up our spine? Fall back in love with Him. For that moment. We may experience that "hot" moment. Saying, "Oh God! I am yours! Do your work through me! For your Kingdom!"

And then we get tangled. Pulled.

Its no surprise to Him. He has dealt with it since the beginning of time.

But then beckons us, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land..." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Isn't that what we need? His face. Forgiveness. Healing. His love. Its so abounding!

In the thesaurus, you'll find words that are synonyms for the word "lukewarm".

Such as: indifferent, cool, halfhearted, apathetic, unenthusiastic, tepid, perfunctory, noncommital, lackadaisical, laid-back, unenthused, couldn't-care-less.

But God also has some very strong words in Revelation 3:15-22 about being lukewarm. This is a place that we, as Christians, His people, do not want to find ourselves.

15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!

16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Now is not the time to be comfortable. Don't look to the world. It has nothing to offer. Seek Him. Because in Him, you will find rest. You will find strength.

It might not be comfortable. That's another post.

But He wants to do something through His people.

Now is the time.