Today's Temperature

What is the temperature outside? Right now it is probably between 78 - 82. In my office I like to keep it a cool 64. This keeps me from sweating and feeling uncomfortable. I don't like it when my shirt begins to stick to my back or my arms. It just feels kind of icky.

So let me ask you a question. What is the temperature like in your office relationships or your marriage or your friendships or even with your children right now? Many times the temperature is quite hot and we are uncomfortable but still we do nothing about it. What if we began to pray that God would use us to make a difference. What if you and I began to pray that our attitude would change. But, I can hear in my mind now, "It's not my attitude that needs to change!!". Maybe it will be in the way you handle the situation that can bring restoration.

Now, let me ask you another question. What do people in your circles think about Christians. Often in today's culture people bristle at the notion of being Christian or even knowing one. What has made people feel this way? Many times it is the way act, the words we say, the attitudes we have, or even the way we treat people that look and act differently than we do. Consider with me the words people around you, those that are not followers of Christ, would use to describe people that claim to be Christians. A book I just finished reading, UnChristian, says that the words are not endearing at all. Words like judgemental, hypocritical, and insensitive are just three of the ones most often used.

How can we change this? How can we begin to live in way that people would be drawn to Jesus not repelled by His followers. I am not sure that I have a complete list of answers, but here is what I am considering. I may just begin with an honest assessment of our own lives. I know in my life, the journey has begun as I have prayed about my own attitudes and that the fruit of the Spirit would become evident in me. As I look at the life of Jesus, I am struck by the fact that the outsiders really were drawn to Him. Sadly, this is not true enough of our lives today. I dream that we can get on this path and that we too can begin reveal Jesus once again to the world here in 2008 and beyond.