About three years ago I (Brian) was deep into a season of healing in my life. I was searching for answers to some of my pains and shames, mostly brought on by living neither hot nor cold....but lukewarm. Standing in the garden of my heart it felt like I saw more invasive weeds than fruitful crops. Feeling at the bottom, my heart finally tuned into the voice of Jesus, and this is what I heard…
"Brian (Jesus said), I want you to think of everything from now on with an eternal perspective".
Perspective takes a long time to change and for too long the wrong perspectives had landed my heart in the cold of winter. I did not know how to change perspective, but I was committed to His process! It started with these verses from Revelation 14 being dropped in my lap.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 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. 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. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
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 that person, and they with me."
"Brian my door is always open, but this is how you show up to my invitation. You stand at the doorway and gaze at the feast, which is rightfully yours as an adopted son. Your shame has been pronounced over, your filth has been removed, righteousness in me awaits you, the table is set before you and we are to dine together.
Yet you are more secure wearing your garments of shame and brokenness than the garments of internal freedom.
Why do you stand at the door starving and gaze at the feast that I have prepared for you and I?
Come and drink deeply of my pleasures, Experience for yourself the joyous mercies I give to all who turn to hide themselves in me" (read Psalms 34:8 in the Passion Translation).
I want you to Taste and See that I am good! and you will be blessed when you take refuge in me (Psalms 34:8 NIV)
My friends. We all have pain. We all have areas where we sit and gaze at the table of provision, yet settle for crumbs swept out the door while our prepared seat sits cold. Taste and See. Your seat is at the table!
Ask Jesus what it means to buy gold refined in the fire and then listen to you heart. Your "circumstance(s)" could be keeping you starving outside the door when the TRUTH wants you "feasting" with Him at the table! Taste and See and watch your perspective begin to shift!