Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. Micah 7:8 KJV
Sometimes it seems the night has gone on too long. Our strength is no more. We sit in darkness with only our questions. We hear nothing but the Enemy’s boasts of triumph. We wait.
But then, the Father of lights whispers, “The night never lasts. I am your strength. Hold on. I will deliver you!”
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16 KJV)
I’m in mourning, again. The deceased is my coffeemaker. She was a good one. She worked for ten years, greeting me each morning with the perfect cup of coffee. Now, I am faced with the dilemma of finding another one that works as well as she did. (The current replacement doesn’t!)
Why not just buy the same kind?
Experience has taught me the same brand name doesn’t guarantee it will work the same.
By now, you understand I get emotionally attached to my things. I keep things until they just stop working. Never mind matching or upgrading. I think one of the reasons is I loathe buying a new untested product. True, it’s been tested by the company, passed inspection and given a stamp of approval.
But the real stamp of approval comes from me, the owner. I’m the one that says whether it’s a great coffeemaker, or not. If I can feel the slight burn all the way down when taking that long awaited sip, then it gets my stamp of approval.
However, if after making my coffee, I have to microwave it, TWICE, before I finish it, well then…
In the above verse, Christ is speaking to the Laodiceans. They had placed their own seal of approval. Their assumption of being rich and in need of nothing was wrong. The Lord called them wretched, poor, blind, and naked. He counseled them to buy gold tried in fire, white raiment, and eye salve (vv. 17-18).
I’m sure with His rebuke came surprise and conviction. But with His loving correction came a conformation of His love and instructions: Be zealous and repent.
We understand why we must repent. But why must we be zealous (heat).
Because lukewarm is tasteless. Meh. Bland.
As a coffee drinker I totally get it. We like our coffee either hot or cold. Lukewarm coffee is usually spewed out, poured out, or thrown in the trash.
Just like this coffeemaker when I find a replacement!
Photo: Pixabay Public domain
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
It’s Too Deep
When my children were born, I was determined they would learn to swim. So, when a family member asked if I wanted an above-ground pool, I said yes. Each day that summer, we adjusted floaties on their arms and practiced the basics.
My 5-year-old son quickly outgrew the floaties and began swimming like a fish…until we went to Ma-Ma’s house.
Her in-ground pool had a shallow end (just like ours) and a deep end! And each day my son sat on the side watching his cousins swim. No matter how hard I tried to convince him to jump in, he refused to believe he could swim in that pool. When I entered the pool with him, he stayed with me, refusing to trust himself.
Each day I encouraged him to go it alone without success. My heart ached as I watched many emotions play across his face. Happy. Sad. Determined. Resigned. At times, I thought he would take the leap, only to sit down again.
One day, he stood on the side and I walked over, lifted him, and threw him into the pool. He had two choices—actually three. He could stand in the shallow end, swim to the deeper end, or call out to me.
After the shock of being thrown in by his otherwise protective mother, he swam over to the side smiling. “I can do it,” he exclaimed while treading water. No, we didn’t carry on a long conversation because he went to play with the boys. Exactly where he wanted to be in the first place.
Some may think me careless. However, I would have NEVER done it if I wasn’t absolutely certain he could swim. I had more confidence in him than he did in himself.
Take The Leap
Isn’t that like life, sometimes?
Trying something new is scary. Even for adults. Just thinking of a new project, will often make one stumble. We know what we want. But something just keeps us on the sidelines while watching others meet their goals. Yet all the while, the Lord encourages us to take the leap.
But too many times we resist and allow our fears to immobilize us. But God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
Anything that He has asked us to do we can do. Period. He doesn’t leave us in the middle of a project. He’s there until the end. And when we need a little shove, He pushes us.
Staying Focused
Let me tell you my secret. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, the first thing I do is ask myself, “If this were my last day…” Morbid? Maybe. But it keeps me focused.
Besides, aren’t we all? Dying that is.
The second thing is my list. A list of scripture that I keep. You know, the ones that remind you:
Be of good courage…Psalm 31:24
Fear not…Joshua 10:25
I am with you…Matthew 28:20
I can do all things…Philippians 4:13
Spending Everything
In 1987, at the end of her famous column, New York best-selling author, Erma Bombeck wrote:
I always had a dream that when I am asked to give an accounting of my life to a higher court, it will go like this: “So, empty your pockets. What have you got left of your life? Any dreams that were unfulfilled? Any unused talent that we gave you when you were born that you still have left? Any unsaid compliments or bits of love that you haven’t spread around?”
And I will answer, “I’ve nothing to return. I spent everything you gave me. I’m as naked as the day I was born.” Forever, Erma
What is God asking of you? Whether it is to sing a solo, share a testimony, write a story, or change jobs, remember:
Stand in the truth. Swim with all your might. And when the sea begins to roll, call to Him. I promise He will show up walking the waves!
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Gail Johnson 