We live in a digital age so I’m sure we’ve all heard of, seen, or used a microwave. It’s a handy dandy little device practically no kitchen is without. It’s a quick way to heat up those leftovers or cook those frozen Stouffer's meals. It’s pretty useful. Of course there are other inventions that are just as helpful. Don’t worry! I’m not going to spend the next few minutes of your time detailing which is better. Instead, I want to talk about how frustrating it can be when our food isn’t hot enough.
I’ve been in this situation before. I settle down on a Friday evening in order to watch a brand spanking new Hallmark Mystery. I’ve got my ice cold Coke Zero with condensation building up outside of the can. Before me is a nice healthy slice of cheesy lasagna. I am Friday Night Movie set! I take a bite and it’s nice, hot, and yummy. I take another bite and…oh no! It’s cold! That is unexpectedly shocking when you are expecting nice hot food! That’s a frustrating experience. Since I don’t want to miss anything, I have to wait to rush to the microwave during the commercials.
That’s a reminder for me that there is no middle of the road when it comes to some things. I didn’t want warm or slightly cold food. I expected it to be hot. Especially since that is how it appeared and that first bite convinced me that it was. It’s like when you go to a restaurant and order that big juicy steak. Doneness ranges from rare to well done. When you submit your order, you know what you’re expecting. If you ordered a well done steak, then it would be displeasing to cut it and see a little too much red.
As silly as it may seem, those things paint me a picture of why I can’t be “middle of the road” with my faith in God. I either choose Him or I don’t. As you read the bible, I believe that’s the very clear picture that’s revealed. This or That. Well done or rare. Hot or cold. Good or Bad. Alive or Dead. Light or Darkness. Heaven or Hell. There is no in-between. So when it comes to your faith, you are either all in or all out. I once shared this example with someone in explaining that there are no shades of gray with God. I can develop shades of gray when I begin to mix, mingle, and twist my paints. The choice that God lays before us is pretty clear.
I don’t want shades of gray. I also don’t want to be one that is lukewarm for God. So it’s essential for each of us to do just as Joshua instructed and make a choice. For or against. If God is rooting for you, then that is truly more than the entire world rooting against you. Decide to be fully committed to that kind of God.
Stay Sunny!
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