Jan
6
2016
Don’t Get Stuck
Posted in Faith 2 Comments
When my children were little, we vacationed at an Adirondack Ranch Resort.
The children enjoyed it so much, we vacationed there twice.
There were chalet cabins to stay in and even a lake house for large families.
The lake had pontoon boats rides, pedal boats, row boats, and kayaks.
There were activities for families all through the day.
There were horseback riding lessons and guided trail riding.
There was a fun rodeo, hayrides, wagon rides, and horse-drawn sleigh rides in the winter.
Experienced wranglers even taught the children roping skills.
Everything was contained at this resort.
It was very safe and family oriented.
Everyone ate their meals in the main lodge.
Families were given their own table for every meal and soon got to know their waiter.
My two youngest children were always with us or their older sisters.
My son who was right in the middle of the five children was allowed a bit more freedom.
One night during dinner, he needed to go to the bathroom.
He said he was old enough to go there by himself without someone walking with him.
The bathroom was close by in the main lodge.
However, I was uneasy after he left the table.
I decided to go and check on him.
As soon as I approached the bathroom door I heard it.
Open the door! Open the door!
He was knocking on the other side of the door, unable to open the lock.
I spoke through the door, assuring him that I was on the other side.
One of the waiters walked by and was able to open the door for him.
My son tried hard not to cry.
He was young enough to be scared.
It was an episode he never forgot.
He never liked close spaces very much after that.
He would joke through the years about having flashbacks of that incident.
We all laughed along with him but I know that it was a scary memory for a little boy.
Fast forward about 20 years.
We received a family text.
Just got stuck in a metro elevator.
Having flashbacks to the dude ranch.
In an instant we all went back and forth with our questions and concerns.
We all wanted the details of what happened.
I’m OK. It was just me in there, he told us.
They have a “talk” button so I pressed that.
The man wanted to know if I needed EMT or the police.
I answered, neither; I’m stuck in the elevator and I’d like to get out!
When we asked him how long he was stuck, he told us about ten minutes.
Not long in the scheme of things but terribly long when you are confined.
Anyone would be afraid in that situation.
However, when you had that same kind of experience as a child, memories come flooding back.
The next day, I sent him a text to check in on him.
He said that the elevator was still our of order, so there was a problem.
He gave me a bit more information: I knew it was stuck because the doors wouldn’t open.
It was going down really slow; it got me almost all the way down but the doors just didn’t open.
Almost all the way down.
Almost but not quite.
That little bit more makes a world of difference.
Neither here nor there.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth…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 he with Me. (Revelation 3:15,16,19,20)
Lukewarm.
Neither hot nor cold.
Neither here nor there.
Dangerously fickle.
Jesus does not want us to be lukewarm about Him.
Jesus will not be taken lightly.
“Almost there” faith is not saving faith.
Faith that is stuck between floors means that the door will stay shut.
I stand at the door and knock.
When my son was knocking on the other side of the bathroom door, I was there.
I heard him.
He heard me calling to him through the door.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.
Jesus does not want “almost there” faith.
Jesus does not want lukewarm faith.
Lukewarm faith is abhorrent to Jesus.
Many people skirt around when it comes to their faith.
They are careful about their words not wanting to offend anyone.
They are careful about their choices not wanting to seem too radical.
They are more careful about what people think than what God thinks.
That cannot be.
That is faith that is stuck between floors.
That is faith that is neither here nor there.
That is faith that is neither hot or cold.
That is not saving faith.
That is faith that gets you stuck.
That is faith that will never open the Door.
That is faith that will ensure that you remain in your sins.
Get unstuck.
Do you hear Him knocking?
Your only response is a simple one, but one that is a matter of eternal life or death.
I’m stuck and I want to get out.
His nail-scarred Hand is already on the doorknob.
Great post Gina! Another example of how pain is never purposeless. It is used miraculously for His glory and our good. Thanks!
Yes, Jean.
God never wastes anything.
We balk and complain but God knows what He is doing.
Gina