Saturday, March 28, 2009

Hot, cold or vomit?


My darling daughter came home last weekend to celebrate her 23rd birthday. Like all good moms, I still had some purchases to make about an hour before she got here. I hopped in the truck and headed to Old Navy and Target. Somewhere between the first stop and the last, I got behind the kind of driver that gives you road rage. There was no hope of passing them. No chance they would actually flow with the traffic. As I impatiently waited behind them, I noticed the fish emblem with the little cross inside on the trunk of the car. Well, they must be a Christian I thought. Then I looked to the right where a bumper sticker that was not as easily identifiable took its place on the other side of the trunk. Curious as to what it might say or stand for, I tried to get a little closer to see if there were any discernible words or symbols. Thankfully, the traffic broke at this point and I made my quick escape to pass them. I honestly hoped it was an elderly lady driving so that I would not justify my impatience. But instead, what I noticed was another sticker on the side of the car that was clearly not of the Christian persuasion. In fact, it would have been something on the opposite side of Christianity.

So, was the driver a Christian, a non-believer or just couldn't decide what message they wanted to convey that day? Perhaps they really didn't care about the message they were sending. I know some people like that - I've been one.

Revelation 3:16 makes it clear that God calls us to be either hot or cold. Make a decision and be bold about it. Because lukewarm Christianity is like vomit and Jesus says he will spit us out of his mouth if we are lukewarm.

Without being obnoxious or waving a bullhorn in your hand, would a stranger be able to notice anything different about you if they spent some time with you. Would they notice that your behavior in the long line at the store is different than most others? Would they over hear your conversation at McDonald's and find it pleasing to their ears? Would the tip you left for the waitress convey a spirit of generosity or stinginess? Or would the stranger be greatly surprised to find that you were a follower of Christ? Would they want to know your Jesus after knowing you?

What does my day-to-day life say about me? Do I have a Jesus t-shirt on with a different message coming out of my mouth and my attitude? I pray that people aren't confused by my message or shocked to to discover that I am passionate about following Jesus.

I don't want to be vomit. I want to be on fire for Christ, passionate in my pursuit of him and faithful to the call he placed on my life. May my life convey a clear message about whose I am and who I serve.

3 comments:

Jeanette said...

"I don't want to be vomit". Let's see that on a bumper sticker or t-shirt :) I don't want to be vomit either!

Anonymous said...

We are the only Bible some people read. Thanks for this post! Blessings!

LynnSC said...

Hi Kim,
I hoped on over the LPM blog. I am so with you on this post. I want the fruit of my life to line up with my tree. I posted on the same thing not too long ago.

I enjoyed my time here...
Blessings,
Lynn