This morning, Jason decided to treat us to homemade scones for breakfast. It was a lovely gesture, to be sure, but one that didn't quite go according to plan.

You see, our oven is a bit of a peculiar beast. It's got two knobs: one for temperature and another for the various oven controls. You can turn up the temperature without turning on the oven or turn on the oven without adjusting the temperature. We typically leave the temperature set and only fiddle with the control knob, as we're creatures of habit when it comes to baking temperatures.

Jason went about his merry way, mixing the ingredients and shaping the scones with the precision of a master baker. He popped them in the oven, set the timer, and waited for the magic to happen. But when the timer went off, he opened the oven door to find... raw dough. The scones looked exactly as they had when he'd put them in!

Jason stared in confusion until he realized what had happened. Our cleaner, in her zealous pursuit of a spotless kitchen, had turned all the knobs off during her last visit. Jason had only turned on the control he was accustomed to using, paying no mind to the temperature knob he assumed was already set. The oven was on, but the temperature was a balmy zero degrees. Not quite the ideal baking conditions, I'm afraid.

As Jason explained what had happened, I couldn't help but see a spiritual lesson unfolding before my eyes. How often do we, as Christians, fall into the trap of spiritual routine without true mindfulness?

We attend church every Sunday, say grace before meals, and perhaps even have a designated "quiet time" each day. But are we truly engaged in these activities, or are we simply going through the motions? Are we, like Jason with his oven, assuming everything is as it should be without actually checking?

The Bible warns us against this kind of spiritual complacency in Revelation 3:15-16: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

Just as Jason's scones remained uncooked in an oven that was on but not heated, our faith can remain underdeveloped if we're not truly "heated" by the fire of God's word and presence. We might be going through all the proper motions, but without genuine engagement and passion, we're not really growing or changing.

So, how do we avoid this spiritual lukewarmness? We need to approach our faith with intentionality and mindfulness. Before we engage in our spiritual routines, we should take a moment to "check all the knobs," so to speak. Are we truly present in our prayers or just reciting words? When we read the Bible, are we seeking to understand and apply its teachings or merely ticking a box?

Let's challenge ourselves to break out of our comfort zones and routines. Try a new Bible study method, volunteer in a different ministry, or spend time in prayer without a set agenda. By doing so, we can ensure that our spiritual lives are truly "cooking" and not just going through the motions.

As for Jason's scones, well, once we figured out the problem, we had a good laugh, cranked up the oven, and enjoyed some deliciously warm scones—just a bit later than planned. And isn't that just like our spiritual journey? Sometimes, we need a wake-up call, but with some adjustment and perseverance, we can still end up right where we need to be.