Lukewarm

It’s an interesting phenomenon that often, even in the most important areas of our lives; we are willing to settle for far less than our best. If we were purchasing a new cell phone, a fashion item, or some other creature comfort we wouldn’t dream of shortchanging ourselves with an inferior product. At a restaurant, we would never accept and under or overcooked entrée. We spoil ourselves in so many ways. However, when it comes to spiritual, ethical or relational issues we’re often willing to compromise. In areas of faith, patience, charity and compassion we are quick to settle. Consequently, we shortchange God and those whom we are called to love on His behalf. Worse yet, we shortchange ourselves as well. This is all the more hypocritical if we profess to be devoted to God. In the third chapter of Revelations, Jesus indicates that He is most offended when we are lukewarm. He would rather see us all the way hot or cold, for or against Him, than merely living lives of tepid complacency. Yet, many of us live such lives, going through the motions and answering most of the questions correctly, but never throwing our whole hearts into life or devoting ourselves fully to God. This represents the lukewarm life our Savior so vehemently warns of. In that passage, His response is that He will “spit” the lukewarm people “out of His mouth.” I’m not even entirely sure what that means, but the eternal connotation is clearly undesirable.

The point is that we are called to a better life, one of faith and passion. Isn’t that what we really want after all? And yet, we so often find ourselves living lukewarm lives. The synonyms for the word lukewarm include: tepid, cool, unenthusiastic, halfhearted, unexcited and indifferent. In other words, adjectives we generally would prefer not have used to describe us. Although it sounds intriguing to live on the cutting edge, most of us stay planted firmly in the middle. We’re frankly more concerned with falling off of the edge than living out on it. So how do we live differently? We need to be open to change. We need to be willing to say yes. We need to face our dreams and our prayers with excitement and open minds.

I certainly concede that I’m speaking to myself here as much as anyone else. However, this might be easier for all of us if we were willing to embrace this kind of change in one another, if we were committed to encouraging it. Think about your own life today. Are you comfortable and complacent, or are you ready and willing? Do you believe that the story of your life is already written, or are you excited about the blank pages of your story that still remain to be written? Would God, or the other important people who share your journey, look at your life and call it hot, cold, or lukewarm? That is the question to ask. And I daresay that each of us already knows the answer in his or her heart. Let us strive together to make the answer to that question a resounding hot. We are called to lives of purpose and passion. That can be frightening, but it can also be amazing and rewarding. One thing is sure, however. Each of us knows that lukewarm will just never do.

Lukewarm
Oh, I keep the Ten Commandments
And my life looks good enough
To the people who observe me
But sometimes Jesus calls my bluff
By pointing out the little things
Unnoticed by all the rest
He shows me that the life I lead
Is just lukewarm, at best
I’ve avoided all the “big” sins
Gave my time and money too
Living cleaner than most other folks
Yet, it will never do
Because my God requires much more
Of me than I have shared
He knows how I’ve been holding back
And how little I have cared
I know there is a better life
Which God reserved for me
A life that makes each day worthwhile
And counts for eternity
It requires faith on my part
Courage and passion too
But it’s the life I’m called to lead
For lukewarm will never do
By Frank Carpenter ©

Beauty

Since I am definitely a proud new grandfather and currently visiting the newest addition to our family, it seems appropriate to offer another poem on my new favorite subject. Over the years, I have written a great deal about the beauty of nature and the wonders of creation. Well, this little one never ceases to amaze me with her funny faces, noises, and antics. Yes, I am biased and duly enamored. However, this little person really is a true wonder of creation to us. There is a beauty and innocence in her that seems to have eroded from the heart of cynical old men like me over the years. Now I find that my perspective on everything has been refreshed and renewed. And from that new perspective I offer the following poem, with a wish that you may look afresh upon the world as I now do.

Beauty
As I observe my granddaughter
Sleeping in a blanket warm
I know that I have now seen beauty
In its most perfect form
A beauty uncorrupted
By the wiles of this world
Unscathed by fashion’s fetters
Or harsh words from other girls
She is as God intended
At peace and innocent
No worries for the coming days
No hint of discontent
This cherub, only two weeks old
Swaddled in her blanket warm
Assures me I have now seen beauty
In its most perfect form
Frank Carpenter ©

Kalama Morning

We’re away in the state of Washington visiting our kids and first grandchild this week. As is my nature when I’m away, I rose early to walk and take in the new surroundings. We’ve been quite busy lately and work is always hard to escape from so I came fairly exhausted and distracted. Fortunately, I have a gift for being able to turn life off and just be away when I’m on vacation. My morning ritual of rising early to walk while I’m away is an important part of getting my brain on vacation. I take the liberty, therefore, of offering this description without much explanation because it speaks for itself. I hope and pray that you may find peace in the quiet corners of your own life today as well.

Kalama Morning
I rose this morning early
Just so glad to be away
From the world of work and pressures
That seems to fill each day
I stuck out afoot on my own
To enjoy the woods and town
And to revel in the solitude
Which of late I’ve scarcely found
I wandered quiet tree-lined roads
As gentle rain began to fall
Not enough to soak me through
But this is Washington after all
The weariness and worry
It has been my lot to bear
Seem to dissipate with every breath
Of northwest morning air
As I begin to hear the birds again
I pause to make a daisy chain
And thank God for quiet mornings
Simply walking in the rain
By Frank Carpenter ©