Grounds for Addiction

“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16 (ESV)

I was stuck with the overnight shift in the Navy. Sleep was an unwanted intruder. If I allowed myself to doze, I would go to jail. (Rules of the Navy) I had to drink coffee to stay awake.

I hesitated. I hated the taste. After a few nights of the fight to stay awake, I had to succumb. That jolt of Java promised to keep me awake. That slap in the face from a dark brew kept me alert. Jail or Java? A simple decision for me. After a while, I began liking the taste. I even longed to go to work to get a drink. I confess, I am a coffeeholic. It seems I cannot get my day started without it. I look forward to my morning Joe the night before. K-Cups are my favorite. Whoever invented the Keurig is my hero. Hot coffee at my fingertips one cup at a time. That is Genius! I tried no jolt of java, but I got a headache.

I know that is a sign of addiction. I know I am not alone. Are we bad people for needing this wake-up call every morning? I don’t think so. Why there are shops created just for our addiction! One morning, I had forty-five minutes to myself. I wanted to grab my cup and fellowship with God. I long for that time, before the sun rises, to read the Word and sip my coffee. I grabbed my cup from under the spout. What? An empty cup? I forgot to put the water in the machine. Now I have to do it all over again and wait. UGH! My quiet time disintegrating because I did not follow proper Keurig procedure! I made sure everything was set. K-cup in. water added. Cup under the spout. Push the button. Wait… Yes! A hot cup of pure joy. UGH PSSFT PSSFT What Happened?

Have you tasted lukewarm coffee? YUCK! How could I ruin my coffee again. I did not want to waste the coffee, so I chugged it. Not satisfying at all. No one likes lukewarm anything. The Spirit reminded me of the church of Laodicea. God hates lukewarm. Like I spit my coffee out because it was tepid, God will spit out those who are half-hearted or lukewarm in their service to Him. Was I half-hearted in my service? Did I give God only portions of my life? In the book of Revelation, Laodicea was known for its lukewarm water because it was located between the hot springs of Hierapolis and the pure water of Colossae. Some scholars believe the metaphor for hot and cold came from Laodicea’s location. The Laodicean people were criticized for their lack of zeal for the Lord. The English language refers to those that are neutral or indifferent in matters of faith as “Laodicean.”

As I finished my hot coffee and pondered the message, I asked the Lord to show me where I’m distasteful, and not zealous for his kingdom. I even asked if I should give up coffee. God desires my morning coffee to be a reminder to serve him with a wholehearted devotion and a willing mind. Will you join me and be a zealot for Jesus?