"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot...." Revelation 3:15 (NIV)
Is it hot where you live?
It is oppressive in NC. That's my most recent excuse for not walking.
This winter it was too cold.
So, I'm feeling like the Goldilocks and The Three Bears story. In the summer, it's "too hot." In the winter, it's "too cold." In the fall and spring, most days it is "just right." However, you can't maintain a healthy exercise routine consistently when you only participate in two of the four seasons. And I struggle to achieve regularity in those.
Alas...there's the treadmill.
Just today I discovered an excuse not to use it...well, sort of.
I'm reading a book for my job (which I love even if I have to do summer reading). In Richard Louv's book, Last Child in the Woods, I came upon this interesting bit of information. In the section entitled, "Why the Young (and the Rest of Us) Need Nature," Louv states that, "Researchers in England and Sweden have found that joggers who exercise in a natural green setting with trees, foliage, and landscape views feel more restored, and less anxious, angry, and depressed than people who burn the same amount of calories in gyms or other built settings."
Okay, so that really doesn't get me out of time on the treadmill, especially since my view is out the rear windows of our home...lots of trees and nature.
The bottom line is (no pun intended), I have no excuse for not exercising.
And I know that I feel better...and look better when I do it.
So how do I relate that to the passage listed above?
In Revelation 3, John writes several verses that can give insight and instruction into our physical and spiritual "walks". He says, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." (vs.1-2) And then, as I mentioned above, "I know your deeds, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other. So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (vs. 15-16)
That's serious.
God is not pleased when our care for our body is random and inconsistent. After all, it is His temple.
And even more than that, it obviously displeases Him when our witness...out testimony...our time spent with Him is lukewarm.
I fail in that too.
When I spend more time checking my email than listening for His voice and reading His Word.
When the local country music station controls the music on my mind, instead of music that leads me in praise and worship of Him.
When my attitude is controlled by that lack of time focused on Christ and praising Him.
Is anybody else out there battling for passion and consistency? Trying to find the place of "Just Right"? The atmosphere that draws you to be your best for Him? The time and setting to do that thing that He has called you to do?
Revelation 3 concludes with this, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here 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. To him who overcomes [another translation says 'is victorious'], 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." (vs. 19-21)
Oh, how He loves you and me.
Father, we are nothing apart from You. We are without strength. Dead. Lord, revive us! Ignite the fire in us that draws us to You...and to victory! We need You. Thank You for the depth of Your love. Help us to receive it. And return it. And sing of it. And seek that place of "just right"...and do the thing we're supposed to do there. You are great and greatly to be praised.
