Three Dollars Worth of God

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)

Last weekend, author and speaker Jackina Stark led the women of my church in a fantastic retreat. More to come on that soon, but for now I can't stop thinking about an illustration Jackina read. It's a poem by Wilbur Rees.

I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please.
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk
or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don't want enough of God to make me love a black man
or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.
I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.
I would like to buy three dollars worth of God, please.

Makes my heart cry, "Oh, Lord, explode my soul!"


More on Jackina Stark:

• Bookshelf: Three New Releases!
• Bookshelf: Tender Grace
• Article about Jackina on Ungrind: "Rough Draft Life"
• Jackina's website