Out of Laodicea

While God was preparing Revelations for the churches, He was also preparing a message for us. I have heard a number of sermons on the letter to the church of Laodicea. Each sermon makes a clear connection between that church and the church of the United States, particularly the church of the “rich.” Revelations 3:15-17 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are luke-warm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Yup. We are blind, naked, wretched, pitiful, poor, and can I add: asleep. Twice in Proverbs God warns us about “sleeping” Proverbs 24:33 and Proverbs 6:10 both say: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come upon you like a poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” God has shown me the connection to staying spiritually awake!




I beg God to keep me spiritually awake. It is sometimes way too easy to nod off in our culture. Another great example from scripture is also in Proverbs: Proverbs 30:8-9 “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”



If I am really to draw a parallel between falling asleep in the spirit and being like the church of Laodicea, I have to realize that the solution is to stay awake. But staying awake is very uncomfortable. And one thing I realized is that I don’t like being uncomfortable. In fact, if I really examine my response to the prayer in Proverbs 30, I actually would rather have “too much.” YIKES! That is a scary place to be. Ahhh, too much and I get comfortable, I rely on myself, I forget about God, and I go. To. Sleep…



NO! Stay awake! In the garden at Gethsemane, Jesus BEGGED his disciples to STAY AWAKE! No caffeine pills there. But this is a different type of awake. To stay awake, I am trying to do what God has for me even if it seems uncomfortable.  Actually, especially if it seems uncomfortable!  Sooooo, the move is on! We are off to a new city in a few days. And we have already taken the first step in the next adoption process.  We are wasting no time bringing more kids home. One thing that all parents can attest to is that kids keep you AWAKE!



Another section of scripture that was brought to my attention was the battle of Joshua. As they prepared to enter the promise land, they had Passover and then they ate from the fruit of the land and that was the end of the manna. 2 things crossed my mind as I was reading about this: 1. God expects us to work. When work can be done, we need to get out the hoe and do it. 2. God’s provision is there when we need it, but it won’t be there if we rely only on our own strength and provision. Wow.



God made all things. Why then do I get comfortable with my own provision, focus on my own resources, and then fall asleep? Why after the clear lessons here would I allow myself to do that? Easy: It is EASY! Staying awake is HARD and uncomfortable at times. But the rewards are huge! Here is the promise: Revelations 3:19-21 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am ! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and him with me. To him who over comes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne just as I over came and sat down with my Father on his throne.



Francis Chan reminded me in a sermon this week about what that throne looks like: There was a sea of glass as clear as crystal; creatures singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come.” There were elders in white robes with golden crowns…etc. And we can sit there. An honored guest. Witness to all of this! It is ours if we “overcome.”



Please God. Please keep me awake. Please stop me from becoming to content so that I don’t forget you. Please keep me in your power so that I don’t become afraid. Let me look to you as my Rock, my Fortress, and my hiding place. Thank you Lord for the promises that are true. Amen.