Too Hot To Handle

My dog, Harley, loves coffee. No, not decaf. He drinks the real thing. He particularly likes to have the proper combination of Splenda and French Vanilla Creamer. (Fat-Free of course!) Some would say that it's not proper to feed your dog coffee. They say it might kill the poor animal. "Coffee wasn't meant to be enjoyed by canines." My problem is, I just love to make my dog happy....and....it hasn't even made him sick. How is it going to kill him? (He even gets chocolate whenever I do.)

The other day, I brewed up a fresh pot of 100% Colombian (Coffee!!!) to enjoy before heading off to another big day at the office. I noticed those beady eyes staring me down from behind and could tell the little guy wanted a bowl. So, I nuked his creamer in the microwave, added the proper ingredients in correct proportions, and served my buddy.

Now, he generally jumps right in and splashes his coffee all over the floor. But this time I noticed that he'd stepped back and was eyeing it. After a few seconds, the tip of his tongue came out in a flash and dipped itself in the brew, only to be retrieved back into his mouth. He looked at me with a somewhat indignate look, then repeated the process. I realized it was way too hot for him. He was forced to wait at least two minutes before he could dive in and fill his system with good wholesome caffeine. Even then, it looked like there was steam rising from the top of his head.

What's the point, you ask? Well, we are just like Harley whenver we're challenged to move into the presence of the Lord. No, I'm not talking about the 'just show up at church' kind of presence. He promised when we get together, he gets together with us. I'm talking about those moments when the presence of Jesus, through his Holy Spirit, is palpable. You know He is doing something big and is calling way down deep to the depths of your heart for you to be a part of it....to get touched....changed..........BURNED!

And, oh does the manifest presence of the Lord burn! He is a holy, consuming fire. The closer you get, the hotter he becomes. That's when we pull a 'Harley.' We step back and wait for it all to cool down. Some begin to say; 'You're not supposed to get that close to God. You'll DIE!' or, 'It's best not to get to fanatical or crazy or emotional.... and 'God Forbid' that anybody should speak in tongues!!! Well, I've got news; We were created to be in the presence of God.....yes, for all eternity....but, I'm talking about right here, right now, on this little blue ball of an earth. He wants to visit us with consuming fire and with it, empower us to be burning torches in a darkened, black world.

Harley thought the coffee was too hot. But he also thought it was worth drinking even though his tongue got a bit too warm. Is being empowered by the Spirit worth it to you? Is getting closer to Jesus for a moment more blessed than doing anything else for a lifetime? I think the Presence is not only worth getting burned, I am actively seeking it. How about you? Be blessed and......be burned! Pastor Jim