Lukewarm-ness

When you hear the word ‘lukewarm’ what pops into your head? Positive? – Nice, comfortable, just right water. Not too hot. Not too cold. Neutral? – Lukewarm is in the middle. It’s safe. Not risky. Negative? – Lukewarm is wishy washy, namby, pampy. No guts, no glory.

“Why is lukewarm-ness important?

Arise to Shine is all about showing the world the Light of the World. So how does ‘lukewarm’ fit in to this picture? 

I don’t like to be confronted with myself, especially if I don’t ‘measure up’. Not many of us do. Especially if we were raised to be ‘good kids’.  Let’s see what God says. The Book of Revelation introduces us to Lukewarm people. Ah, yes, the church of Laodicea.

Revelation 3:15-19 (NLT)  “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!  You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.  So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

Yuck! Indifference. Blah-ness.

Or try this paraphrase from the Message: “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot!  You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet then! About face! Run after God!”

I am pretty sure that I am living a comfortable, in-the-middle life. I’m not rich when I compare myself to those around me, but I live in an American, upwardly mobile world. I do have everything I want. I really don’t need anything. How does that impact my being LUKEWARM?

There are so many phrases in these passages that confront me. But the one that hits me the hardest every time I read it is this one:  “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! ”  I don’t want God to spit me out of His mouth! I don’t want to be oblivious or stale! I don’t want Him to call me  ‘wretched’ or ‘pitiful’.

And, I most certainly don’t want to mess with His refining and purifying! Correction and discipline?  What child (or child of God) wants that?

This is getting a bit scary.

I posted about this concept of Lukewarm over 7 years ago when I first began my attempt at writing Arise. I stopped and started writing more than once. I have used many excuses to put it off–to do it when my life has settled down.

My life hasn’t settled down, and I don’t think it will. We live in a world filled with brokenness, failure, heartbreak, and pain. I have been confronted by God, and by dear friends, and good counsel that the excuses won’t go away, so–don’t wait.

I believe I’ve been LUKEWARM in my promise to write. I have been LUKEWARM about what God can do through my story and the stories of the people He has brought to me.

So, in the next few posts I will explore the warnings about being LUKEWARM. And what we can do about changing the temperature. Hope you continue reading. Blessings, dear reader.