“Anything is better than the dead calm of indifference.” – Charles Spurgeon
This morning, I read those words and they gripped my heart. Immediately, my mind went to the Lord’s famous words to the Laodicean church in the book of Revelation…
““And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:14–16, NKJV)
In New Testament times, the temperature of the water supply was one of the ways that cities were known. Hierapolis was a nearby city that was famous for its hot springs. Colossae was known as the home of a cool mountain stream. However, the city of Laodicea was famous for its dirty, tepid water and out of town visitors to the city often spit it out immediately after drinking it. This fact sheds great light on why the Lord spoke to the church at Laodicea in the way He did, doesn’t it? Basically, God was telling that church that anything is better than the dead calm of indifference and He used something they were all familiar with to do that.
The dead calm of indifference is the place in life where we are not living with passion and purpose, but just existing – going through the motions. There can be many causes of indifference. The busyness of life and physical exhaustion can get us to that point. Discouragement and depression definitely take us there. Unexpected hurts, problems, or setbacks in life quickly lead to, “Why do I even bother? I don’t care anymore.” Routine and the familiar can easily take us to indifference. If we’ve done the same thing the same way for years, then maybe we don’t even think about it or appreciate any more.
This morning, my personal prayer is that the Lord will renew my passion and purpose for the things that really matter in my life. I became a Christian when I was eight years old, and I pray that my passion for Christ will be more fervent in this season of life than ever before. After nineteen years of marriage, I don’t want to just go through the motions. I want to invest in my marriage intentionally. As a father of two sons who are growing into men before my eyes, I pray that I will let nothing deter me from intentionally investing in them. After more than twenty years of full-time ministry, I am praying for a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to propel me into the next twenty years. God is too great and life is too short to live in indifference.
I am so grateful that God gave the Laodicean church the cure for their indifference…
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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 dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:19–20, NKJV)
The cure for indifference is repentance and renewed fellowship with the Lord. What is holding you back? What sin are you ignoring? How long has it been since you got alone before the Lord and prayed fervently?
Anything really is better than the dead calm of indifference. God is too great and life is too short to live there!
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