In the summer of 1971, I worked at a local meat packing plant, Reelfoot Packing Company, on the night cleanup crew. I helped clean the bacon department and anywhere else I was needed. Looking back I really enjoyed it, even though the work was long hours and sometimes kind of nasty. (I only had to clean the blood pit once.)
The night cleanup crew was responsible for cleaning everything. We had to pick up meat scraps, clean processing machines, and get grease off the floor. Everything had to be clean before they could process meat the next day. USDA inspectors would make sure every machine, floor, and anything that touched meat was clean. If they found any meat from the previous day on the floor or in a machine, they would tag it and no one could begin work until it was cleaned again. Our job was to make sure everything was cleaned right the first time.
Most of my time on the job was holding a large, white, heavy duty water hose. We had to have hot water to cut the grease on the floors and on the stainless steel equipment. Cold water or even warm (lukewarm) would not work. The water had to be almost boiling hot to remove the grease.
Some nights when we came to work the water was cold. All we had to do was tell a maintenance man and he would turn the boiler up to get us hot water. On nights that the water was warm (lukewarm) we would tell them and they may or may not turn the boiler up. They thought if the water was a little warm it was good enough. Well, we needed hot, boiling hot, water.
I worked with a very good friend of my family, Mr. Andrew Gray. He was an older man that had worked for Reelfoot several years. He trained me to do the job I was doing. He had been working there long enough to know "the ropes". I remember the first night the water was just lukewarm. Mr. Gray told a maintenance man that we needed hot water to do our job. Several minutes past. Still no hot water.
So, Mr. Gray goes to the boiler room and checks the gauges. They still were not set to give us hotter water. He turns the heat up. After a few minutes, the water was so hot, steam was coming out of the water hose. The job of cleaning the grease up had just been made easier. All we needed was a good man to turn the heat up. Any time after that if the water was just warm, I would go get Mr. Gray. He would know what to do.
Lukewarm-- moderately warm : lacking conviction: halfhearted (Webster's Dictionary) By this definition, many activities in this life do not need to be attempted lukewarmly.
I am going to use professional football as an example. Players for the NFL did not get on the team by playing halfheartedly.They have to give it their all everyday. In practice they diligently run through every situation that may come up in a game, to the finest detail. Defense and offense have studied the opposing teams down to the minute details.
Why do they do all of this study, practice and preparation for just a game. They want to win!. Also, would fans pay the money for a ticket or purchase souvenirs of halfhearted players? It is big business and they expect the players to be on fire in their playing. We expect it of them.
Now let's make a huge shift in our thinking. We do not tolerate lukewarmness in our entertainment and sports, but we do tolerate it in the most important area of life today, "Christian living".
Can I be the salt of the earth that Christ wants me to be by living a lukewarm Christian life? What does Christ say about being lukewarm? Read Revelations chapter 3:16. Remember, He is talking about Christians. After reading this, I do not want to be lukewarm.
What makes me lukewarm in my Christian walk? The cares of this world, and I have plenty, can consume all of my thinking and attention. Also, being attracted to the material things of this world. Many times I grow weary, and if I am not careful take my eye off the prize.
Sometimes, I need someone to turn the boiler up and get the water hot. Christ is that one. He did not come to this earth to show us how to be lukewarm. Satan does that , and by the way, he is pleased with us if we are in that spiritual position. Christ has shown us how to live and also how to love. Studying God's word and reading His promises should encourage us to be on fire for Him. Praying without ceasing also keeps us focused.
I have to ask these questions. If I live a lukewarm Christian life, will my children and grandchildren do the same? What good will I be to the cause of Christ? Can I fight sin in my life and the world , halfheartedly?
Did our great country become, morally, the way it is today by Christians being lukewarm or on fire?
Remember, lukewarm water will not cut the grease. We need to send someone to turn the boiler up.
Let's live the Christian life to the fullest each day, to win that crown of life. (Jas. 1:12)
Send comments to me at rhepler52@gmail.com .
Thanks,
Rick Hepler
