‘True Christian Life Is Not Characterized by Spiritual Coldness’

When a bitterly cold “bomb cyclone” stormed up the East Coast last week, expert forecasters and meteorologists were thrilled at the arrival of this unique weather system. But millions of American homeowners had the opposite reaction. Instead of celebrating, many homeowners were filled with fear — wondering if their heating systems would survive the challenge.

Having one’s house plunged into subzero temperatures with failing heat is a terrifying ordeal, as I learned from personal experience.

Back in 2013, my family moved into a new house that was much closer to our church — but with the excitement of new surroundings came the challenge of controlling the temperature in our new living space.

Our previous home had had a wonderful wood stove, which cranked out cheap heat. But our new home had no such luxury — it was outfitted with a late-1970s, industrial-strength oil burner. With oil prices spiking, we made a decision that fall to install a high-efficiency heat pump that would provide heat through electricity rather than oil. Heat pumps work well, but like a high school weightlifter with too much weight on the bar, they need a little help when the temperatures sink into the single digits.

As the mercury dropped, I switched on the oil burner and engaged it as our primary heat source, with the heat pump assisting as the secondary. Genius! This would keep us warm throughout the coldest months of January and February, without spending a fortune on home-heating fuel. But then it happened.

One morning in mid-January, my wife, Heather, shook me from sleep and told me the house was freezing. When I tossed the covers aside, I discovered she wasn’t kidding. It was frigid. I rushed to the thermostat in the hallway and saw that the heat pump was kicked into high gear. But with single digits outside, it just couldn’t keep up. I passed by my sons’ room and saw their teeth chattering as they dressed for school. At that moment, we were all asking the same question: What happened to our heat?

I grabbed my flashlight and scurried down to the oil burner. My mind was racing. Were we out of oil? Had a pipe burst? I removed the service panel to the burner and immediately saw the problem. One of the small connections bringing power to the burner had become disconnected during the night. Vibrations from the unit had slowly wiggled it loose, until it unplugged. Without power, the burner couldn’t ignite to create the heat we needed, and soon our whole house was overtaken by the creeping cold. I reattached the connection with some metallic, heat-resistant tape, and instantly the oil burner roared to life.

As I marched back upstairs, there were cheers and smiles all around. The heat had returned! Dad had triumphed!

It’s been a few years now since that frigid, frantic morning, and thankfully our oil burner is still going strong. It even kept us toasty-warm through last week’s “bomb cyclone.” But whenever I think back to that experience, it always reminds me of an important spiritual life lesson.

It doesn’t take much to sap the “warmth” out of our relationship with Christ.

It doesn’t take much to sap the “warmth” out of our relationship with Christ. Some things may seem small or insignificant in our estimation — a few days without prayer, a Sunday away from church, skipping a morning of Bible reading. But it is those seemingly “small” things that keep the spiritual fires burning brightly. When we make time for spiritual disciplines, we engage in the very things that keep our spirits warm and glowing for Jesus. But when they are neglected, the results are devastating — the warmth quickly dissipates from our souls.

The Bible instructs all Christians in Romans 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Fervency has to do with being fiery and hot, even to boiling. This means that Christians must pursue an enthusiastic and zealous relationship with Christ. The true Christian life is not characterized by spiritual coldness or sluggishness — but spiritual warmth and passion.

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If we want a vibrant walk with Jesus, we must be diligent to stoke up our own inner, spiritual furnaces. That means keeping a careful eye on the little things that keep the inward fires burning hot. If we allow ourselves to become indifferent or lazy toward prayer, worship, Christian friendships, or Bible study, it won’t be long before the creeping cold conquers our hearts.

This has been one of the coldest winters in recent memory. The anxiety of fuel bills and frozen pipes continues to linger in the minds of many. Dangerous cold lies just a few inches behind every wall and door. I’m grateful when I come home for an evening’s rest that my family is surrounded by the happy warmth of a fully functioning heating system.

Each time I hear the thermostat click and feel the gentle rumble of the oil burner, I’m reminded that it isn’t enough for heat to be manufactured — it must also be maintained, again, again, and again. Lord Jesus, help us burn with a daily zeal for you, to keep our souls from the creeping cold.

Pastor Ryan Day is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he has served for 18 years.