Here is an ad you will never see at Starbucks:

“Try our new Lukewarm Cappuccino!  Thin, watery, and forgettable!”

Bleah.

I’m a Coke fan myself, and even I know there’s only two ways to drink coffee – hot or cold.  I shudder instinctively at anything in between.  Those of you who do own stock in Starbucks can, therefore, appreciate even more the emotions of Christ as He describes the church at Laodicea.  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold or hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:15-16)  About the only use for lukewarm is milk for babies.

Out of the blue the other day, these verses popped into my head, and I had a couple of thoughts I’d like to share.  First, the Redemptive Gifts.  Using the structure of the sevens, we understand that the Laodicean church parallels the gift of Mercy.  I share one perspective on the passage in a teaching called “Where the Living Treasure Lies“, which is about the gift of Mercy and their relationship to time and reality.  The lukewarm part has always struck me as being about courage in the face of opposition.  The Mercy doesn’t like conflict, and you surely will run into scuffles if you wax either hot or cold.  The Mercy likes to be liked and what is more comfortable than a temperate climate, right?

It is interesting, however, that the next verse goes on to talk about how the people think they are rich and healthy when they really are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.  Ouch.  Those are harsh words, Apostle John.  So why is this thought immediately following the blast about being lukewarm?

I wonder if it has to do with status quo.

You see, one of the areas of the Mercy’s greatest strength is also their potential downfall.  The Mercy craves a safe, healthy, vibrant, beautiful, nurturing environment.  Really, hanging around with a healthy Mercy isn’t half bad for that reason.  But once that environment is created the temptation is to stop.  Dead flat, screeching halt and don’t rock the boat, thank you very much.  The Mercy has achieved their ecosystem and now they can relax and live in the wonderful bubble they have created.  Status quo sets in.  Motivation drops to maintenance.  The world is a happy place, never mind that it has shrunk to the size of your life.  Have you ever known a status quo to burn hot?

By my experience, this is a deceptively easy trap to fall into.  The Mercy reaches a place of equilibrium, everything is balanced, or as balanced as it can be, and he or she settles in and feels comfortable, safe, and healthy.  It would be so easy to stay there, and not have to start the process all over again somewhere else.  Lukewarm is nice.  Tepid word for a tepid life!

You see, it means embracing more challenges to be anything but lukewarm, or to continually upset the status quo.  You have to tackle another problem, embrace another chaotic scene or throw your arms around another prickly pear.  All of this takes the Mercy out of his or her carefully crafted ecosystem.  Do you really think the ecosystem you have now is the biggest and best possible that God could ever create through you?  I sure hope not!  I think what really frustrates our King is that we stop growing and our sphere of influence and capacity to change the world stops growing with us.

We are made to create ecosystems and environments, but I think not to build a castle on them.  Those are castles in the air.  The truly immovable structure must be inside of us, the ecosystem of our heart.  This is where we cast our anchor deep into the Rock, so that our stability can carry us forth into the next disruption of the status quo.

So, give yourself a shake.  See if you are settling into your castle that doesn’t exist.  Really take a good look at you life.  It sneaks up on you.  And I would welcome any feedback or thoughts on what you see or experience.

www.GoBeyondtheHorizon.com