Strengthen what you have
‘So wake up, and strengthen what you still have before it dies completely. For I find that what you have done is not yet perfect in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you were taught and what you heard; obey it and turn from your sins. If you do not wake up, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not even know the time when I will come.’ (verses 2, 3)
Read Revelation 3: 1-6
We have a mandarin tree that used to bear prolific crops of large, juicy fruit. But this year the leaves began to tum yellow, and although there was still some small fruit, the tree looked far from healthy. It was still alive, but I realised that unless I took drastic action the tree would die.
Our spiritual lives can get like that tree. Just because we had a rich and vibrant life with Jesus in the past doesn’t meant that it can’t die back and grow weak. We need to be watchful and take appropriate action before it is too late.
The letter to the church in Sardis is timely. You are encouraged to be alert, to take stock of your situation, and to work on the spiritual strength you already have. That strength may be nothing more than the realisation of how weak you are and how much you need divine help to restore you. Think of a time in your life when you felt very close to God and you found joy in giving yourself to him and serving him. Remember how you found joy and comfort in prayer, how you loved to sing hymns and songs of praise, and how you were ready to give your life in service to Jesus. Remember the things that you were taught or learnt in Bible study, and how your life started to move in a new direction. Remember the promises that you made to God, either secretly in your heart or openly before fellow Christians. Remember all this, and then tum to God in penitence and prayer and ask him to remove the weaknesses that have hindered you and to restore you to a relationship with him that is alive and vibrant.
Life-giving Holy Spirit, create in me a new and revitalised heart so that I can truly serve you and experience the joy of salvation. Amen.
by Kevin Schmidt, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)
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