Be a Thermostat - Not a Thermometer

Be a Thermostat - Not a Thermometer

Love One Another

This metaphor is borrowed from a speaker I once heard a long time ago at Creation... when I was in high school... yes that was quite a while ago now. But, it made quite an impression on me.

At first, you may think that thermostats and thermometers have a lot in common... measures of temperature, having something to do with the climate in a given environment. However, with a closer look... they are significantly different. While a thermometer tells you how warm it is in a given environment, usually your body temperature, a thermostat changes the temperature in that environment.

When you get home and your husband is frazzled after a hard day of work, or your mom is ranting about socks on the floor, or your children are screaming as you walk in the door, it's easy to be a thermometer... you get a cross expression on your face and join the yelling (right where the temperature was set). But it's harder to re-set that temperature. And yes, it does take a while... and happen gradually. But instead of jumping into the shouting match, a thermostat would speak softly, sweetly, offer hugs, smiles and encourage everyone to sit down together... call a family meeting.

I am admittedly bad at being a themostat, but I hope to learn to be better. After all, attitude makes such a difference. And I bet that you know at least a few thermostats... and they are amazing. After a minute of talking with them, life seems so much more sunny... things seem absolutely positive. I remember my friend Kammy, in response to my question, "How are you?" she would answer, "You know Katie? God is so good!" with a huge smile on her face. That is what we are called to be... to all those in our lives.

Today I was reading in Romans about this very challenge:

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)

We may not have too many 'enemies' who do 'evil' to us... at least I hope you don't. But even responding to negativity with negativity is what is expected. Instead, our loving response should be one that lifts up that person and puts them at peace.

We are asked to be joyful, patient, faithful, sharing, zealous, and hospitable. This calls for action, not just reactions to others. We must embody the loving attitude God calls us to in order to show His light to the world... in every word, in every response, in every thought, in every action. Love must be sincere.

Set the thermostat to

joy patience love faith

hope generosity hospitality

The Spirit will help you find those settings and hold to them, when you pray that the Holy Spirit guide you.