I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either one or the other!
Revelation 3:15
After years of disobedient living the above words from the Lord jumped out at me. The ‘Good Life’ which in reality is not good at all, but just a dangling carrot Satan uses to entice us to take that bend in the road by using our senses and feelings as a lure. After all, his favorite line that we all fall for is – “You can be like God!”
As my own revelation continued to convict me in verses 16 to 22, my conscience began to turn up the heat … “So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 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.”
By now I was beginning to sweat as I became aware of what I really had become. Where was that escape hatch? He continued – “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.”
What led me to this point in my life? Oh yes, it was grabbing for that Satanic carrot, that shining, glittering, neon, worldly light! The very light that had me now spending the majority of my days angry, frustrated, anxious, lacking control over myself and everything and everyone else. After all, control brings a feeling of power – but of course like feelings, it is momentary and fleeting.
Thus I was in my present state of despair – of searching – of beginning my journey back to my first Love. Would He remember me? Would He forgive me? These were His words as I approached the throne of grace …
“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.”
Aaaah — The Escape Hatch!
“To him who overcomes, 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Lessons learned are precious indeed when one hears, turns, and follows God’s leading. My burnishing led me to repentance, which led to a change in my life of love – not anger, peace – not anxiety, knowing that Jesus is the power who is in total control over everything, took away all my frustrations.
Are you in need of an escape hatch? Look to Jesus and He will provide the very escape you long for from the troubles of this world. The cooling balm of His touch on your life will bring about the change for acceptance and peace that only He can provide.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28