Thermometers and Thermostats
by Malcolm Wood
During the recent cold spell, which we in the UK have been experiencing, no doubt much attention has been given to thermometer readings and thermostat settings.
I once came across a small article about these two devices.
A thermometer is placed in a room, often hanging on the wall, and enables us to see the temperature of the room at a glance. It has no connections to anything else and has no power to make the room hot or cold. It just reflects its environment and adjusts itself to it.
A thermostat can look very much like a thermometer and it also hangs on the wall but, instead of being alone and individual, it has connections - powerful connections! If the room’s hot, it has ways of making it cooler, and if it’s cold, it has ways of making it warmer.
Instead of being affected by its environment, the thermostat changes that environment. It does something about its surroundings, whereas the thermometer adjusts itself to them.
Most people can be classified in a similar way. Thermometer personalities are chameleons. They adjust and compromise. They take on the moral and spiritual temperature of the group they are with. They merely reflect their environment. They do nothing to change it.
Thermostat personalities are changers. They lead and transform. They aren’t content with the ‘status quo’. They aren’t complacent. They’re concerned and burdened. They care. Things and conditions must improve. So, by using the connections they have, they send messages of prayer to God, (the powerhouse above). ‘We need help. Things must be different. The moral and spiritual climate must be changed. It’s too cold. It’s freezing. We desperately need fire and heat to melt and change our world – our nation- our town –our churches -our hearts’.
The question is - Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?
Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for those times when I’ve been complacent about those things that are going on around me – the things that make Your heart sad. Fill me afresh with Your Spirit. Give me Your passion for all that’s good, honest and true. I want to influence those around me, so that they’re directed to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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