Hey welcome back. Good to see you. Still hurtling through space spinning and orbiting, I see. Still haven’t fallen off the rock either. I wonder how those people and critters in Antarctica do it hanging upside down and all. Weird.

Since we talked last, how’s your journey been going? A lot can happen in one second, one minute, one day; let alone one week. Still concentrating on the small picture and forgetting to step back and appreciate or acknowledge the larger picture? Yeah, me too. I mentioned that we could journey together so thanks for coming back or sticking around, whichever you did. It seems like we’re doing that geometry intersecting thing this time around. Cool.

We sure do a lot of travelling these days don’t we? Sometimes we’re alone and other times we’re together. In your travels and on your journey have you ever been to Laodicea? I have, and more than once too. It’s kind of crazy because I never know when I’m going or how I get there. I never know how long I’m going to stay either. It’s the weirdest thing.

Anyway, you’ll know if you’ve been to Laodicea because the place is kind of lukewarm, pell-mell, not real inspiring, and frankly just average. The temperature there is not really hot, and yet it’s not really cold either. It’s kind of; well, lukewarm to be honest. Not a lot happens or gets done there; and that’s not necessarily a good thing because progress seems slow and enthusiasm seems low.

There are some there that say that they are rich, wealthy, and self-sufficient and self-reliant. But what they don’t seem to realize is that their money doesn’t actually buy much and their land doesn’t have a lot of value. Like many things in this world, it’s been devalued in more ways than one. Apparently that devaluing thing is not a new concept.

When I think about that place though, it’s kind of interesting. I found that there actually is someone there who is offering to make things better. He is changing things so that real wealth is realized, people can get real and get along with one another; and get great healthcare too, particularly eye and vision care. He’s very loving, though will correct and discipline. He goes from door to door, knocking on each one. He wants people to open the door when they hear it. He’s looking to invite some to dinner, and to be invited by others to dine. He overcame some unusual and extreme circumstances. He cheers on others to overcome theirs too. He’s unbelievable at multitasking and wears, like, three different hats at once. He’s amazing!

To make the connection from my description of Laodicea to my journey, and perhaps yours too, I have to go back a long time ago; yes, that would be in the early 80’s for you youngsters. A singer-song writer named Steve Camp wrote and recorded a song about Laodicea that has stuck with me. For a moment, ponder these verses from his song “Living in Laodicea”:

Oh Lord, take your plow to my fallow ground
Let your blade dig down to the soil of my soul
For I’ve become dry and dusty, Lord I know there must be
Richer earth lying below

For I’ve been living in Laodicea
And the fire that once burned bright, I’ve let it grow dim
And the very One I swore that I would die for oh, has been forgotten
As the world’s become my friend

As you can see, there is some introspection going on there and right here, right now too. If we are honest with ourselves we can all see ideas and concepts that are all too familiar, and very close to our hearts. Fallow ground is land or ground that has been plowed and left unseeded for a season or more; it’s uncultivated, not in use, or inactive. Is this you now? Has it been you before; ever?

The idea of me having an unseeded, uncultivated, inactive, and shallow heart and soul causes me to pause, think, and shrink back. However, the idea of Someone whom is able and willing to plow that old, tired, dry and dusty me under, and find richer soil below is the best thing ever.

So, I admit it, I’ve been to Laodicea. While on my journey, I’ve stopped and stayed there too. I’ve even returned for a visit once or twice. It’s not a place that I’m proud to visit or be from, but I’ve been there. If I could just figure out when I’m going or how I get there I may be able to change course, or at the very least, not stay too long.

I’m thinking I should ask the One in Laodicea who is offering to make things better for help here. I’ve got a pretty good notion that He has the answers to those questions and more.

If you’re Interested in listening to the full song mentioned above check out this audio clip I found on YouTube.

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