Close to the Source...

Greetings, Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight or story, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend. Next week I'll announce the winner for September.

Now on to my topic:

One day, many years ago, my son Luke came home from school and spouted, "This really mean boy called me a really mean name!" I paused what I was doing and turned around to look at Luke's face. "What did he call you?" I asked. Luke put his hands on his hips, wrinkled his brow and said, "He called me Luke warm water!" 

I chuckled under my breath and said, "I'm sorry he hurt your feelings, honey, but if that's the worst thing he can come up with to insult you, you're doing pretty well!" That obviously wasn't the right thing to say because Luke came right back with, "Mom! Who likes luke-warm water? Nobody! What's it good for? Nothing!" 

We had a good follow up conversation that day. And Luke made a very good point. Luke-warm water isn't good for much. 

Recently I pondered the following verses from Revelations:

 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! (Revelations 3:15-16)

Such strong words to the church in Laodicea! They begged me to dig a little deeper. I learned that in Laodicea, there was a marvelous cold spring that drew crowds from other cities. Imagine, fresh water, invigorating for one and all! 

Likewise, in the city of Colosse, there was a hot spring, which, also drew visitors from surrounding cities. An innovative group of engineers decided to build a system that could send the hot water from the city of Colosse to Laodicea. You can imagine the time and resources that went into such a project. Unfortunately, by the time the water reached Laodicea, it was luke-warm and tasted terrible. Project failed.  Hmmm.

If you wanted to enjoy the hot springs, you had to go to the source. 

When we live far away from the fiery hot passion of God's love and heart for the world, our passions and convictions wane. 

The Greek word for 'lukewarm' in the verse from Revelations is, "Chliaros" which is a metaphorical condition of the soul: A fluctuation between laziness, inertia etc., and earnest zeal and love. The lukewarm 'Believer', depending on the season, will either be 'all in' and passionate when it comes to following Christ, or they will step out of the race and put their passions into other things.

Makes me think of this passage from the New Testament:

For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes (1 Peter 1:16).

Jesus calls us to a close, moment-by-moment, vested relationship with Him. He is the Source of life and of living water.  We must not be content with second hand information or loose associations with Christianity. My pastor once said that the sheep that wandered to the outer edges of the flock were always the ones picked off by the wolves first. 

Here I am referring back to Hebrews chapter 12 again (as I have the past couple of weeks), but may we heed this wise advice:

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let's RUN the race marked out before us! Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him (US), endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Jesus is the oxygen of life; He's the living water for our thirst; He's our true north; He's the rock beneath our feet; He's the shelter that covers us; and He's the one who SAVES. There's no other name, no other source, no other passion, no hobby, and no accomplishment that can compete with Him! 

While we still have today, let's run the race to win.

Have a blessed week~

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Comments

[Susie Larson]

Dear Aimee,

I loved your post. Thanks for sharing your coffee time with me. :) May God continue to draw you in and woo you with His love! Nothing else compares. Bless you, sister.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Jami,

Blessings to you! And amen again!

[Susie Larson]

Hi Kathy,

I so appreciate your heart for the Lord. Your posts always encourage and bless me. May God give you the desires of your heart!

[Aimee]

what a great beginning to the day - kids off to school and coffee with Susie:) I tend to struggle with the lukewarm and how I can continue to race towards that hot spring. The Revelations verse really hit home today! Jesus is the oxygen that nothing else can replace. Thanks for the reminder....May God bless you as you go about your race.

[Jami]

amen and amen!!

[Kathy S]

Susie, I love how the Lord brings things to life, how His word can be searched out for deeper truths and understanding. The picture of the sheep on the edge is so logical. Yet we seem to miss it so easily. I am reading "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge. He talks about "violently" pursuing God. And the nearer to Him we are, the more we have of His heart, His understanding, His glory on us/in us...Now more than ever we need to draw near to God!
Thank you for sharing your heart, and may the Lord continue to bless you abundantly!!!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Carolyn,

What a cool compliment you gave me! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your words of encouragement. May He continue to fill your cup to overflowing! Bless you!

[Carolyn McIntyre]

I want to thatnk you for being such a hit home easy to digest vesel and tool from God to reach so many. I was at the retreat you spoke at last wkend. My hope and understanding being better directed because of you. Thanks praise God! Carolyn