Swift kick in the butt

Revelation 2:4 But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. 5 So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent. (Amplified Version)

I have read this letter to Ephesus many times now, many different versions, commentaries, meditating on the passage and “to me” it speaks of life and death. The “life” we once had for our faith, our Savior, and the “death” we now walk in. I look back at myself, I look at the zeal I once possessed, now the lacking pursuit due to many different things. I look at over 1,100 devotionals/blogs I have written, daily pursuits that Satan used someone incredibly close to me to destroy. I look at the time in the pulpit, a depth of study and revelation unparalleled in my life. I look at the present time in my life, consumed with the anxiety of business, of family, of one’s health. I have always feared of being like my grandfather, one who died at my age at work, likely due to the same work stress I am under. I am at a very scary time in my life in so many ways.

If I were to die today, for any reason that God takes me home, I pray I am remembered for the zeal I had for the Lord. I hope people have seen my boldness to proclaim truths, to share failures, to filter my life through my faith. I pray my little contributions to online ministry, to prayers with friends and strangers, to my business ministry, to Trackside Ministry, to just being an open book, I pray my life has glorified God in these latter days. I want to finish strong, to use this second half of my life as a witness to the One who gives us eternal life. I read this morning of how blessed we are with the access to all God has at our fingertips in media, and of how we are going to be held accountable for how we used it in these days. (Exp. God Day by Day). Luke 12:48 but the one who did not know it and did things worthy of a beating, will receive only a few [lashes]. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. There is no excuse for not seeking God more when you have your phone 24/7, and there are so many Bible Apps, podcasts, daily scriptures, and question answers you can find at your fingertips. Why not start with a daily verse reminder? Get it to come to your phone a minute after your alarm, and start your day with God.

These warnings to the churches of Revelation speak of the lack of zeal in a broad scope. The intense statement Jesus speaks to the lukewarm Christians in Laodecia is terrifying; he will vomit them from his mouth! I know my zeal has become distracted with life, I know my body is weaker than even recent years, I know Satan hammers my mind with depression and accusations, I know we all battle the same stresses of this messed up world we live in. Satan is peaking before his ultimate and final fall. God is showing himself in many ways today, gathering his church to stand for truth, building his army to call them home, and looking for zealous and fearless leaders that he has given that desire, to step up and show Him how much they love him. I need that swift kick in the butt to straighten me up, to revive my senses, and I pray that God does the same for you when you pursue him with a renewed passion.