Thermometer or Thermostat?

Well, in Texas the temperatures are finally beginning to fall - a little bit, that is. I was so excited last week when I was actually able to wear my winter pj's and snuggle up with a good movie and some hot chocolate!

This is definitely my very favorite time of year. I love all of the decorations, the shopping, and most of the all the amazing realization that God actually sent His own Son to be born on this Earth as one of us.

This time of year can bring excitement and joy or stress and depression. As I listen to others around me, I often notice that many of them are not looking forward to the holidays. They complain about the money they will spend, the people they will have to see, and the pounds they will gain at all of those Christmas dinners.

There are often times that I find myself joining right in with those people that sound bitter and unhappy. I allow myself to be swept in to conversations that open the door for the enemy to bring discontentment and bitterness.

Last week, I heard a pastor speaking on being a thermometer or a thermostat. I loved this illustration because it was so true! I love when God allows others to use everyday things to point out something in my life that I need to work on.

The speaker was sharing the difference between the two. You see, a thermometer simply takes the temperature. It doesn't change anything. If we are like thermometers, we might do the following:

* Enter a room full of people that are complaining and begin to do the same.
* Work with cold people and allow ourselves to become to cold as well.
* Find ourselves living lives that would not please our Savior simply because we don't want to "change" anything.

A thermostat, on the other hand, changes the temperature. It sets the the temperature in the room. If we set the thermometer to a comfortable temperature, everyone in the room is comfortable. It is inviting to walk into a warm and cozy place during the holidays. However, it is very uninviting to walk into a room that is very cold. If we are like thermostats, we:

* Change the temperature when we walk into a room.
* Can affect the way others feel when they are around us.
*Are always adjusting ourselves to make others around us feel comfortable.

I believe that Jesus wants us to be thermostats. I believe that He has called us to set the temperature when we walk into the room. People should see that we have something different about us that allows us to bring warmth and comfort to those around us. We should want those around to us to feel good. Jesus has called us to be different than those around us. He does not want us to take the temperature in the room and just adjust ourselves to fit in.

Phillipians 2:4 says, "Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Make those around you notice that there is something different about you. Become a thermostat that changes the atmosphere of the room when you walk in. Allow others to take notice and realize that there is something different about you. Give God total control over you and your words. Don't allow the world to make you a thermometer that simply takes the temperature when the Heavenly Father created you to be a thermostat that changes the temperature!!!

Some Things to Think About:

1. Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?
2. Do you change the temperature when you walk into a room or simply take the temperature and join right in?
3. Do you want to stand out as someone who changes things or are you comfortable just fitting in?

Words of Worth:

"Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Phillipians 2:4
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Phillipians 2:5
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

*Thermometer vs. Thermostat Illustration - Robert Herber, Antioch Community Church