Like Coffee

No one likes studying, especially over Christmas break. Yet here I am, sitting in my local Starbucks, sipping on a piping hot peppermint latte. Coffee always seems to be best when either refreshingly iced or as I like to say, "warming to the soul". In my opinion, coffee can never be too hot. Even if I can only warm my hands against the mug while it's aroma wafts and fills my senses, I am satisfied. Sitting here for a few hours, I've had the opportunity to observe people give their orders. I find it interesting that everyone selects hot or cold coffee, no one desires a lukewarm beverage and if given one they will promptly send it back. Because it is mediocre.

 

Like coffee, people are one extreme or another. We never strive to be plain.

We have been created with passionate hearts. God has given you a passion for Him. When we attempt to live and serve him merely half-heartedly we are a disgusting failure.

He desires us to serve Him with a smoldering love, not one which has grown cold.

"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... I correct and discipline everyone I love, so be diligent and turn from your indifference." - Revelation 3:15-19

The Church of Laodicea had grown lazy. They were neither passionate nor rebellious. Sounds a lot like our culture today. Most people consider themselves as relatively good people, doing good things, doing just enough to get by. Get fired up for God! Church attendance, occasional worship, and watered down service will not be accepted by God as an obedient life.

Ask yourself this question, "Am I hot for God?"

The choice is yours, but there are only two options. Will you be hot or cold?

Because God will expel mediocrity from His kingdom, in the same way you throw away your lukewarm beverage.

Cookie Cutter Christianity

I love to bake. It's a type of therapy for me, a stress reliever of sorts. While my little brother and I decorated our annual batch of Christmas cookies, one phrase continued to pop into mind: "Cookie Cutter Christianity"

It has a negative connotation as believers over the years have gotten the rep of holding each other to standards that don't always have Biblical backing. We shouldn't feel pressured to act or appear a certain way just to fit into the Christian subculture. An example of this is Shia LaBeouf's recent conversion. When he accidentally let some expletives fly while giving his testimony, many Christians went so far as to question his salvation. We need to be patient and show grace to new believers as they grow in their faith. 

However, many seasoned Christians swing to the opposite extreme and cry "Cookie Cutter Christianity" in defense when confronted about their poor reflection of Christ.

Stop using it as a copout.

 We should resemble the God we claim to serve. Because while only God can judge, Matthew 12:33 reminds us that our actions reflect the condition of our heart. And if the Holy Spirit dwells within us, shouldn't God's hand be evidenced in our life? We shouldn't be spiritually stagnant, but should continue to grow and mature in our faith.

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit."

I am not saying that we all need to be identical, unvaried, perfect little cutouts of each other. Remember God has created us with different passions, talents, and desires. Remember not all of us are called to be pastors, missionaries, or leaders in the church. Some of us were meant to be bloggers, or farmers, or engineers, or teachers. Glorify God and serve His kingdom in the way He designed you to. What God desires is for us to seek to please Him in a brilliant display of gratitude. Shouldn't we want the world to be able to recognize us as being different, as being set apart? Shouldn't we want to be molded into the image of Christ?
 
Yes, Christianity can still be messy. 

And even though we may come out of the refining fires a little broken,  by grace we are still deemed beautiful in God's eyes.

"Never forget, you are my handmade creation, a one of a kind, and yes … you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." -Psalm 139:4