Excerpt from Revelation 3:15-18

"I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. "

Reflection by Ron Buford

The writer of Revelation depicts Coach Jesus as asking us to: Focus; Include God; and Aim high in our goalsetting.

Articulate clear goals about life and work, unlike lukewarm politicians who answer only to please the most and offend the least. Do not have what Edwin Friedman calls in his book by the same title, A Failure of Nerve.   Be clear about your goals or about the fact that you may not have any. Don't pretend with God. You are already the apple of God's eye. Live that way.

Leave room for God as you prepare and refine goals. Who knows us and the universe best? Say to God in your own way, "Lord, I don't know what I want to do, where I'm going, or what's possible. Help!" We often think we are fully clothed in the right plans;  but compared to what's possible, we might as well be naked. God's universe is much too dynamic for our minds to be clothed in last year's ideals. Let's move forward expectantly, keeping an ear open for God's knock at the door to learn what's "hot" in God's eyes right now. If new insight didn't come from people, places, and at the times we least expect, we'd already know it. Be open to the uncomfortably new. The God of all life promises amazingly to interact with us as mentor and friend, as if chatting over a meal. Always leave a place at the table for God.

Aim high. If you are going to play it safe, don't blame God for the outcome. With Jesus as a model—Jesus, who "went to the wall," risking everything for you and me—we see there are sometimes painful short term-consequences. But consider not only what happened to Jesus on the cross but to God's outcome of love for you and me because of it.

Prayer

Gracious God, Dress up my mind in the latest, hottest thing you have for me, best suited to my life, love, and work. I want You and the world to whistle. Amen.

About the Author Ron Buford is Director of Development for the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ.