The Cure and No Longer Scary

When I first started writing about Lukewarm-ness, I used the word ‘scary’. It was bothersome. I found the idea irritating and unruly…like a mosquito. Then, when I added the thought of people who viewed being Christian as a joke…it was breaking this woman’s heart. The idea of Christianity to the nay-sayer was not worth his or her time, because we were found to be LUKEWARM.

There is a cure. I believe it starts in the heart of each person. It begins with Christ knocking at your door.

I came from wonderful parents, attended church and was confirmed, went to good schools and got A’s and scholarships, had two wonderful daughters, acquired an amazing job that I loved all my life (teaching). All was good. I grew up thinking I was a Christian–my goodness! I was teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir for Pete’s Sake!

I was way too phony and prideful earlier in my life…when I thought I was a Christian (but truly was not!) I am not very good at being ‘good’ on my own. I tried that earlier in my life. I went my own way, did my own thing, felt confident in myself, and wanted others in my world to see how intelligent and clever and creative I was. I cared about others and the world, but my goals were selfish. Being self-sufficient was to be admired. (Ah, yes, being LUKEWARM). I had no clue.

“I have need of nothing. I am secure. My possessions, together with my talents and abilities have provided for my security. I am protected from all dangers, insulated from all problems, immune to all tragedies. Apathy and lukewarmness are the worst possible conditions in any relationship. What are we becoming on the inside?” Steve Ziesler

I didn’t even look for what my God expected from me, nor did I expect anything from Him. I never sought God…until He sought me.

Life happened. My comfortable, self-sufficient life was hit hard when I got a call that my vibrant, beautiful daughter had cancer. I was overwhelmed with fear. I pleaded with…screamed at my God (with whom I only occasionally talked).

“Please don’t take my daughter.” I paced around in my house not knowing what to pray or how to pray. “Please. Please!” I yelled again and again. Out of no where a calm came over me. I knew He was listening. I spoke words that were not my own, “Whatever You decide I’ll accept. She is yours. She’s not mine.” Those words were truly not where my mind was when I started. It was the beginning of a very long journey.

The Laodiceans were offered the cure:  Revelation. 3:20  ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (NASB)  He offered me the cure.

That was some 20 years ago and my daughter is still with us. She went on to have two amazing baby boys who are now close to being men.

“When we think of self-sufficiency, our eyes glaze over with pious apathy. We don’t consider it as much of a no-no as the other “self” sins. But, I’m telling you, with God self-sufficiency is a big deal.  …But in their self-sufficient attitude they had left Jesus standing outside the door of their hearts. But Jesus didn’t give up on the Laodiceans, just like He doesn’t give up on you and me. He wants to be much more than the divine “911” call of our lives—only hearing from us in moments of desperation and emergency. He wants us to abandon ourselves in our quest for intimacy with Him. He wants our souls to reach out for Him with passionate desire every day! I think the psalmist said it best when he wrote, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:2” Joe Stowell

I continued to choose to do what I wanted, when I wanted, and with whom I wanted. I had unhealthy eating and drinking habits; I would often ignore the needs of friends and family; I continued to try and impress my world with being ‘nice’ and ‘smart’. I was still too busy with myself to spend time with my God.

In the next few years I faced other heartaches. I lost my beautiful, loving mother–the woman who lived a life loving Christ and being like Him with others. Christ was still knocking. People I loved struggled with addictions and I couldn’t fix them. Relationships were being destroyed. I was lonely, afraid, and desperate. God was still waiting by the door.

I met dear friends who were absolutely wild, crazy in love with Jesus. (no they aren’t Jesus-freaks!) I began to hear the knocking and I opened the door. I was encouraged to study God’s Word. I listened to amazing teaching. I asked God to forgive me for all the negativity, all the selfishness, the arrogance, all the blaming. And He did. Over and over.

“He will insist on changes to bring beauty in the character of those whom He loves. He will reprove and discipline us until He accomplishes that. May I be your friend again? He is asking. May I eat with you?”   Steve Ziesler

When God warns us “You are being lukewarm”, He knows you are trying to make it on your own.  He knows you are not seeking a relationship with Him. He will continue to knock.

Open the door. Ask Him to join you for dinner – for the rest of your life. Expect Him to show up.

“There must be this expectation of His working, for He makes Himself available to us continually, moment by moment, to fulfill every demand life makes upon us, as we expect Him to do so. That note of expectancy is the evidence, or the sign, of faith which marks the difference between the sterility, the deadness, and the dullness of religiosity without the Spirit, and the fullness, the freshness, and the vigor and power of a Spirit-filled life.” Ray Stedman

If I were to give only ONE reason for leaving a Lukewarm, self-sufficient life, it would be this:

Christ wants to have a close, loving relationship with you. He wants to be with you

Life isn’t perfect. It never will be this side of heaven. The struggles and heartaches continue to come, but I have my best Friend, the Love of my life with me…and that has made all the difference in the world.

“Stop thinking it is up to you. Start thinking of how much you need the Lord; praise Him and thank Him every day for His grace and mercy. That’s the cure for being lukewarm.” Adrian Dieleman

“Christ still graciously, by his Word and Spirit, comes to the door of the hearts of sinners. Those who open to Him shall enjoy His presence.” Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

God is seeking a relationship. Lukewarm Christians don’t seem to care about that.

Being in love with Christ leaves me with this incredible desire to WANT to please Him. I WANT to do something for His kingdom.

It is no longer the fear of being spewed out  It is my gratitude and love that doesn’t want anything else but seeking what He wants for me. And when a church has the same, it invites each person to open the door.