Kagwada, Sudan

Rev 3:14-18 “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. 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."

Hot or Cold for God?

I always thought being “cold” was bad in this passage, like you were against God, and if you were hot you were for God, and lukewarm meant that you were “riding the fence.” But after studying the geography of Laodicea and its surrounding areas of Heirapolis and Collosae and their bodies of water, it was clear that being “cold” was a good thing. Heirapolis had hot springs that brought people seeking physical healing to its waters and the snow-capped mountains at Collosae brought refreshing, cold water to drink to its people. Laodicea’s water had too many minerals that it was not even drinkable, and it was neither cold nor hot. It was a wealthy city but not rich in the deeds that would glorify God. Like its water, their works were worthless. The church of Laodicea heeded the message and changed their ways.

The verses in Rev 3:15-16 basically says we need to be healers in our hurting world. Like hot springs that bring healing to the arthritic and skin diseased bodies, we can bring healing to a dying, broken world by bringing the message of Jesus Christ and reconcile people to God, who alone can make them whole. We can also be the refreshing cold water to people by encouraging them, to lift their spirits and give hope.

In less than two weeks, I will be part of a six-member team headed to Juba, Sudan, with the final destination of Kagwada. It is a last-minute kind of trip for me, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring God’s message of hope, be it to someone who has not heard the Gospel, or someone who may see an uncertain future for their country and need encouragement. Now is the time to continue to say Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. We have the privilege of encouraging our Sudanese missionaries already in that area. They have been faithful in sharing the message of Christ and many have come to know Him as Savior. We hope they will also now choose Him as their Lord and become followers of Christ. The vote for South Sudan’s independence is January 9, 2011. We hope there is no war, and we pray for peace. We have this small window of time to be hot or cold for God. We want to be both.