Day One in the Wilderness - Part 2

 For some reason God has been directing me towards the book of Revelation for a few days now. Definitely not an easy book to understand but, when obedient with persistence, he has shown me something I never actually knew about very familiar verses.

Revelation 3:14-18 says this:

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You 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. ¹⁸ I 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.

My intent here is not to be a Bible scholar/teacher….always, always, when studying God’s word I want to be instructed. I want to be changed. I’m beginning to realize how much the history of the times means so much to what the scripture is actually talking about. 

I’ve heard context, context, context so many times…I’m understanding better (I know, it takes a long time for some) why it’s really important. Verses 15 and 16 have always been powerful verses to me. But today, grabbing a commentary for deeper meaning (correct meaning) I was blown away at first and then deeply moved. I knew I never wanted to be lukewarm. 

To be lukewarm (neither hot nor cold) is to be apathetic, complacent……Apathetic is defined as showing or feeling no interest, concern or enthusiasm….No Lord, not apathetic…..But then Jesus says, “I wish you were either one or the other!” Never thought of it before but why wouldn’t Jesus say, “I want you to be hot”? My thinking, “On fire for the Lord”.  But why the cold? Really fascinating….

Both hot and cold were positive in context. Hieropolis (ancient Greek city) had hot springs and Colossae (city in Ephesaus) had cool springs. Hieropolis represented HEALING hot springs while Colossae represented REFRESHING cool springs. Both are POSITIVE attributes. To be lukewarm meant you were neither. Their spiritual apathy was that of tepid water. 

The real focus here is to NOT be lukewarm. Either be a HEALING hot spring or a REFRESHING cold spring. What that looks like day to day in my life I’m not sure. But I have cause for further pondering. How does it translate to my journey? I’m not sure of that either. What I do know is this:

1. ·    I DON’T want to be lukewarm
2. ·    I can pray and ask God to show me what it looks like day to day
3. ·    I can have confidence that he WILL do just that
4. ·    I can consciously stay focused to his leading and NOT leaning on my own            understanding
5. ·    I can ponder what it looks like to be either HEALING or REFRESHING in the lives of those I love and in the lives of those that cross my path

Healing – alleviate, assuage, palliate, relieve, ease, help

Refreshing – revitalizing, reviving, restoring, enlivening, energizing, inspiriting

 I don’t think I can begin to comprehend what God is going to do in this 40 day journey but if today, Day 1, is an indicator, then I’m all in!

God, today, help me to see those you place in my path…rather a stranger or a dear friend or a beloved family member. Help me to REALLY see them. Help me understand what the attributes of HEALING and REFRESHING really mean in the day to day journey for those who proclaim you and love you. I’m listening….