Cold.

Thursday, December 09, 2010
Cold. Well, it would appear that the season of bundling up has arrived. For the record, I would just like to say that I have never, not even once, complained about the hot weather. When we’re sweating our heads off in the 100 degree heat of the Arkansas summer, I enjoy every minute of it. I’m a summer kind of guy. I just don’t handle the winter very well. As a matter of fact, on this 26 degree morning I am bundled up in the thermals and layered up like a Taco Bell burrito.
This happens every year, though. We enjoy the warm season, then the hot season, then the cool season, and then it’s just straight up cold. It happens like clockwork. I still don’t think I ever get used to it, though. Nonetheless, here it is.
I wonder how many of us find ourselves with a decreasing temperature on the inside, as well. No, I don’t mean our actual body temp, but rather our spiritual temp. Do we ever find ourselves getting cold to the needs around us? Do we find it easier and easier to turn a cold shoulder to the lost and hurting that God has placed around our little world of influence?
Last night I got to meet with an amazing group of students that God has given us to help grow in Him. And I’ll tell you something that warms my heart every time: I absolutely love watching them interact with each other. I love watching those growing friendships among one another, and getting closer as time goes on. And I love watching them meet new folks. I love watching them grow, especially in their love for people.
You see, the last thing I ever want to be is cold hearted. And the absolute last thing I ever want to just stand idly by and see happen to the people God has entrusted to us in ministry is that they grow cold hearted. One of the traits of a person that’s falling more and more in love with Christ daily is that they’ll love people more and more as well. If we are truly becoming more Christ-like as we grow in Him, we will have to love people more because He loved people.
So today, ask yourself a simple question: are you cold? Do you find it easy to simply walk away from a hurting person? Do you feel anything when you know someone around you is lost? Does your heart break when you see a homeless person that’s alone and hopeless? Can you simply turn a deaf ear to the cries of a dying world around you?
If so, do me, and yourself, a favor today…ask God to begin thawing you out. Ask Him to start lighting you up with the “blow torch” of His Spirit. Ask Him to make your heart melt before Him, beginning right now. So when it’s all said and done, imperfect as we all may be, the last thing anyone can say about us is that we’re cold. I’d much rather be on fire!


That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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