Lukewarm?

Recently a friend mentioned that sometimes it feels like our plain churches are lukewarm. I didn’t think too much of the comment at the time. Doesn’t it sometimes feel that way? Yes, we go to church, we visit with family and friends, we go about our household duties …it can feel rather humdrum sometimes.

Later while doing laundry, I was mulling over this and I thought of what Jesus said to the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:15-17. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:’ Horror! This is serious! Read it again! Friends, we cannot be lukewarm!

This got me thinking. What causes us to feel lukewarm? Isn’t it our prosperous times, idleness, doing more things for our pleasure than for others? What are we doing with our time? Remember-every minute is God’s, so are we doing things to honor Him? Are we ever doing anything that makes us feel like God is not smiling at us? We need to be on fire for the Lord!

Women are called to be the silent, behind-the-scenes workers. See 1 Timothy 2:9-15. We are to be silent in the church, submissive, keepers at home … So what can we do? First and foremost we need to pray, pray, pray. Read the Bible and commune with Jesus daily. We have an extremely important mission in raising godly children. They are the future church and we don’t want them to be lukewarm either! For those of us whose husbands work away from home, the majority of our children’s time is spent with Mom. Let’s direct our children to the right path and admonish them when they do wrong. Pray aloud with them, teach them godly, inspiring songs, tell them Bible stories, and apply Jesus’ teachings in their day-to-day activities. Are we being a godly example by the things we do, the places we go, and the words we speak? There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents. See Luke 15: 10. And that’s talking about our children.

What are other things we can do to feel closer to Jesus and to spread His love? Look around you. There are lots of people who could use a lift. Are we so busy running here and there that we can’t take time to help someone in need? Do something for someone else this week! Send a card. Make a meal. It doesn’t have to be major. Make an extra batch of what you’re having for dinner. I’ve learned that every little thing helps, and it’s the thought that counts more than the presentation. Visit someone. Lighten someone’s workload. And don’t feel bad if you’re the one needing help right now. Be blessed. Someday you will be able to pass the favor on.

A couple of years ago, I was that overwhelmed mom with a first grader, two preschoolers, and a sick baby who needed to be held all the time. By Day 3, the house was upside down and I was a wreck. I was rocking my baby, crying, and wondering if things will ever be normal again. Then an angel appeared in the form of my neighbor with cookies and a chat that lifted my spirits. And she said she’ll send her 15-year-old daughter over the next day to do my cleaning. The miracle is she didn’t know about my sick baby, and I think this was her first random visit! (It still gives me goosebumps!) That reminded me that God cares and He uses us moms. To God be all the glory. Now I want to try and be an angel in someone else’s life. May we always give without expecting anything in return.

Sing songs of praise to God. Get a group of friends together and sing for someone. Or just get together and sing. It lifts everyone’s spirits. Don’t shy away from talking about Jesus to your family and friends. After all He is our best friend. Discuss things together. (But always make sure to ask your husband if you aren’t sure about something.) Study the Bible together as a family. Keep a prayer journal. You can write down your thoughts/ prayers, or write down the names of people to pray for and then pray for them!

Are we still feeling lukewarm? I’m not saying these things aren’t happening in our communities, because I know they are. I have been blessed. I’m just hoping for a revival because we do not want to be found lukewarm on that final day. Let’s be on fire for Jesus! God needs faithful women on the battlefield! Let’s flee from lukewarmness so we can hear those blessed words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:’ (Matthew 25:34)

This article was originally published by Keepers at Home magazine, Issue 2, Summer 2025