(boulevard)

I came across these sentences in Crazy Love by Francis Chan: “______ people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation.”

So, what goes in the blank? “Stressed out”? “Non-Christian”? “Busy”? “Unhappy”?

Lukewarm.

Ouch. When I read that sentence, I realized I had to take a hard look at my own life. All three of those earthly concerns go through my mind on a consistent basis. My gmail even recognizes “This week’s schedule” as a subject entry when I’m composing an email.

Anyone who has spent time in church while growing up has heard the verse in Revelation, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Now, I’m not (and I don’t think Francis Chan is) saying that schedules and to-do lists are inherently evil. What this little phrase made me realize is that in the small daily tasks, I need to consider the greater impact on the kingdom of God. Why am I living by this schedule? Is accomplishing this to-do list inviting people into the kingdom of God? Or have I become stressed out with the details of this earthly life which ultimately have no heavenly value that I’ve lost sight of my one true purpose for being on this earth? This is what it means to be a worshipper who offers their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1): To live each day, making every choice, word, and action count.

Francis Chan goes on to quote CS Lewis,

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

My prayer for all of us is that we never lose site of the “next world,” of the awesome privilege of spending an eternity with God. And that bringing other people to an understanding and awareness of that very same thing is what motivates us to live this life on earth… not as lukewarm people, but as people to whom God can say, “Well done” as He welcomes us to an eternity with Him.