Living in Lukewarm Faith
I was once tethered to a life of lukewarm faith, a kind of spiritual complacency that masked itself as devotion. It was 2006, and I was leading a comfortable life in Simi Valley, California. I went through the motions of church leadership, but something was missing—a vibrancy, a passion for Christ that seemed extinguished. In the quiet of my heart, I knew Jesus was calling me to more, but I was caught in a cycle of apathy.
God Spoke During Retreat
It was during a retreat in the mountains, far from the distractions of daily life, that the Holy Spirit stirred something within me. I vividly remember standing at the edge of a cliff, the vastness of creation before me, when I was struck by the enormity of God's love and my own lackadaisical response to it. I could hear a whisper, "Francis, you're neither hot nor cold." It pierced through my defenses, and I fell to my knees. In that moment, I prayed, "Jesus, I don't want to live like this anymore. Consume my life with Your love and passion."
Ministry Transformed with Passion
The transformation was immediate and powerful. My approach to ministry changed overnight. I began to preach with a fervor I had never known, driven by a newfound understanding of God's boundless love. I stepped out in faith, leading our church to focus on missions and serving the poor, mirroring Christ's love in tangible ways. What followed was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, not just in my life, but in our community. People were drawn to Jesus, not because of my words, but because they saw Him alive in us.
Heart Set Ablaze Forever
Looking back, I see that it was Jesus who intervened, breaking through my lukewarm shell and setting my heart ablaze. It was His love that transformed my life and ministry, igniting a radical faith that continues to burn brightly. To Him be all the glory, for He is the author of every good work in me.
