“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3: 17
There was a myth thought to be true that an ostrich would hide its head in the sand when a predator was near, thinking if he could not see it, the predator could not see the ostrich. The phrase “having your head in the sand” is still used today to describe someone who ignores a potentially growing problem. We use phrases similar to that for those unwilling to face reality, like ‘turn a blind eye, live in denial, look the other way’. This is true in action as well when we consider the sinking of the Titanic. Many of those who drowned simply refused to believe the ship was sinking and didn’t evacuate immediately. Then it became too late.
When thinking about Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea, verse 17 seemed to be an ostrich moment for the believers there. The believers thought they were fine; thought they needed nothing, but the LORD saw their true souls mirrored the culture. They may have been wealthy according to Laodicea but the church was spiritually in poverty. The LORD wanted the believers to have the richness of His Presence in their lives, to walk in growing intimacy with Him. But they must have ignored the nudges of the Holy Spirit and the still small voice of God because they chose not to recognize what they truly were: “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
How does that happen? It happens a little bit at a time. Just a little ignoring of Scripture, a little disobedience, until it becomes a carnal lifestyle, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God…”
Remember this letter is to believers in the church. And all of a sudden, we find ourselves where we never thought we would be.
How can we correct this? How do we become spiritually rich? Of course, as is the recurring message it begins with repentance. Let us look at a great verse that points us in the rich direction, getting our heads out of the sand.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
And then because the Message presents an amplified version . . .
“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – Then guide me on the road to eternal life.”
Psalm 139:23-24 Message
Change/Transformation is a partnership and it must begin with surrender.
Will we pray those verses, hear Him, and follow His leading? Praying earnestly for our church to walk in spiritual richness.
Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member