Hot nor Cold

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
– Revelation 3:15-22 ESV

My old sweet girl, Ginger the Dog, use to frustrate me sometimes..

One day she would be right next to me.
So close that some part of her was touching some part of me ~ my leg, my arm, my hand.
In those moments she wanted nothing more than to please me.
When we’d go outside to play ball, she would run hard and chase the ball, and then she would quickly return it to me.
Over and over again.
Doing what she was trained to do.
Doing because her master had asked her to do.
Going because he asked her to go.

The next day, it’s was as if she didn’t want anything to do with me.
She’d just lay by the sunroom window and kind of look at me from a distance.
Then I’d take her outside to play.
Throw the ball.
And nothing.
She’d look at me.
Look at the ball.
Look at me again.
Take a few steps toward the ball.
Then stop and start sniffing and walking around.
Or just sit.
Seemingly ignoring the ball and ignoring my commands.
Until finally, I’d walk away and back into the house.

In those moments when my frustration with man’s best friend continued to increase, I’d stop and wonder how much Ginger the Dog was like me.
Like me and the way that I walk with Jesus.

One moment, I strive to walk close to Jesus.
I want nothing more than to be part in close to Him; to be so close than I can touch Him and hear Him.
I want to please Him and do what He calls me to do and be.
Doing because He asked me to do.
Going because he has asked me to go.

Then, the next moment I am walking independently.
Doing what I want to do.
Going where I want to go.
In my time.
My way.
All too often hearing His commands.
All too often hearing Him speak.
All too often choosing to go the other direction.
Just like Ginger, hearing but ignoring.
If, indeed, I hear them at all.

I wonder how often Jesus gets frustrated with me?
Knowing He is always there and that it’s me that walks away.
Knowing it’s me who turns my back.
Knowing it’s me that neither hot nor cold.

Lord Jesus ~
Thank you for your grace and forgiveness.
Thank you for your patience with me.
Please give me the strength and courage to choose you and your ways instead of the ways of the world.
Please change my ways into your ways….
My heart into yours.
In Your name I pray.
Amen.

Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem.