Over the years, I have discovered that it is possible to be very busy doing things for Jesus while slowly becoming less attentive to Jesus himself.
I remember a season when I was working in IT and travelling away from home far more than I would have chosen. At the same time, I was trying to be present for my family, meet the demands of work and continue serving in my local church.
My diary was full, and much of my time was spent responding to the needs of others. Between family, work, church and friends, life felt relentless.
From the outside, everything may have appeared healthy and productive. I was busy, involved and doing many worthwhile things. Yet busyness can sometimes hide what is happening within us spiritually.
Prayer can gradually become something we do mainly for other people. Reading the Bible can become preparation for the next meeting, service or devotional rather than an opportunity to hear God speaking personally to us. As for being still in God’s presence, that felt like another impossible challenge.
Some of the qualities that were useful in my work, solving problems, making decisions and relying upon experience also began to shape how I approached church life. Those abilities were not wrong, but self-reliance can easily follow us into our service for Jesus. If we are not careful, the self-reliance we learn elsewhere can begin to shape the way we serve together as a church.
I became so occupied with meeting responsibilities that I failed to recognise the growing distance in my relationship with Jesus. Perhaps, at some level, I sensed what was happening but felt I lacked the energy or capacity to change course.
Usually, this does not happen through one deliberate decision. It happens slowly. We continue doing many of the same things, but dependence is replaced by experience, intimacy by activity and love by a sense of duty. Without realising it, we begin relying upon ourselves rather than upon Jesus.
I am thankful that the Lord used others to help me recognise what was happening and begin to change course. Their concern was not rejection or condemnation. It was an expression of love.
That experience helps me understand something of what makes the letter to Laodicea so unsettling. This church believed it needed nothing, but Jesus saw its true condition. Its hands were so full of its own achievements and resources that it was unable to receive what only he could give.
Perhaps the most searching question is not simply, “Am I doing things for Jesus?” but “Am I still living closely with Jesus?”
The hope within this letter is that Jesus has not walked away. He stands at the door, speaks and invites his people back into fellowship with him. His correction is not rejection. It is the loving call of the one who waits with open arms and wants to restore the relationship that busyness, comfort or self-sufficiency has allowed to become distant.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
The One Who Sees Clearly
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.
Revelation 3:14–17 (NIV)
Our view of ourselves can be distorted by pride, insecurity, success or the opinions of others. The Laodiceans believed they were secure and needed nothing. Jesus saw something very different. He introduces himself as the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the ruler of God’s creation. His verdict can be trusted because he knows the truth and sees beneath appearances.
God’s word shines light into our lives, revealing what we may be unable or unwilling to see for ourselves.
Pause and Reflect
How accurately do you see your spiritual condition? What might Jesus be showing you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus knows me completely and speaks what is true. Protect me from pride and self-deception. Shine the light of your word into my life and give me the humility to receive what you reveal. Amen.
TUESDAY
When We Think We Can Manage
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.
Revelation 3:15–16 (NIV)
The Laodiceans had become lukewarm. They had not openly rejected Jesus, but their relationship with him had lost its urgency and dependence. It is possible to remain busy with Christian activity while becoming distant from Christ himself. We can continue serving from habit, experience or duty while our love for Jesus gradually grows cold.
Jesus does not want to be fitted around the edges of our lives. He calls us back to a wholehearted relationship with him.
Pause and Reflect
Have you become busy doing things for Jesus while spending less time with Jesus?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me when activity replaces intimacy and service becomes a substitute for dependence upon you. Renew my love for Jesus and draw me into a closer relationship with him. Help me to serve from love rather than habit or duty. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Coming with Empty Hands
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.
Revelation 3:17 (NIV)
The Laodiceans believed they had everything they needed. Jesus told them to receive true riches, clean clothing and restored sight from him. The invitation to “buy” from Jesus is not an invitation to earn his favour. He offers what money and achievement could never purchase. We come acknowledging that, apart from him, we can do nothing.
It is difficult to receive from Jesus while our hands remain full of pride, achievement and self-sufficiency. Grace is received with empty hands.
Pause and Reflect
What are you holding onto that may be preventing you from acknowledging your need of Jesus?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you with empty hands. Forgive me for trusting in what I possess, achieve or understand. Thank you that Jesus freely offers what I could never provide for myself. Help me to receive his grace with humility and gratitude. Amen.
THURSDAY
Strong Enough to Ask for Help
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.
Revelation 3:17–18 (NIV)
The Laodiceans could not recognise their need. Their self-sufficiency left them spiritually blind. We may also find it difficult to admit that we are struggling or need prayer. We can treat asking for help as a sign of weakness. Yet pretending that we are fine requires no faith. Real spiritual strength is found in recognising our need and bringing it honestly to God and his people.
Vulnerability opens our hands to receive grace.
Pause and Reflect
Do you regard asking for prayer as spiritual weakness or as an expression of trust?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me when pride prevents me from admitting my need of you. Give me the courage to be honest with you and with trusted people. Help me to receive prayer and support as gifts of your grace rather than signs of failure. Amen.
FRIDAY
Correction Motivated by Love
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Revelation 3:19 (NIV)
Jesus rebukes and disciplines those he loves. His strong words are not intended to push the Laodiceans away but to awaken them and bring them home. Repentance involves more than agreeing that something is wrong. It means opening our hands, confessing our need and changing direction.
Jesus is not waiting to humiliate us. He waits with open arms, ready to forgive, restore and empower us to live differently.
Pause and Reflect
What would earnest repentance look like in your life today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that your correction is motivated by love. Keep me from resisting what you are showing me. Give me the humility to confess my need, the courage to change direction and the confidence to receive your forgiveness. Amen.
SATURDAY
Jesus at the Door
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.
Revelation 3:20
The startling picture is of Jesus standing outside the door of his own church. The believers had continued with church life while leaving him outside.
We can do the same when our plans, preferences and activity become more important than listening to him. As a church, we can appear successful while gradually relying upon ourselves. Yet Jesus continues to knock. He has not walked away. He waits with open arms, willing to forgive, restore and renew fellowship with anyone who hears his voice and opens the door.
Pause and Reflect
Is Jesus being kept outside any area of your life? What would opening the door involve?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the ways I have kept Jesus at a distance. Help me to hear his voice and welcome him into every part of my life. May we, as Glenabbey Church, keep Jesus at the centre of all that we are and do. Amen.
SUNDAY
A Greater Ambition
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:21–22
Jesus ends this difficult letter with an extraordinary promise. Those who overcome will share in his victory and reign with him. If we could see clearly what awaits us, many of the things that consume us now would lose their hold. Our achievements, possessions and reputations pale beside the future Jesus has prepared for his people.
Our greatest ambition is not to appear successful or self-sufficient. It is to know Jesus, remain faithful to him and share in his victory.
Pause and Reflect
How should the future Jesus has promised reshape your ambitions and priorities today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that my future is secure in Jesus. Give me eyes to see beyond the concerns and achievements of this life. Reshape my ambitions and priorities and help me to remain faithful. Give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to Glenabbey Church and courage to respond in this moment in time. Amen.