Show Some Enthusiasm!

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6

Unless you maintain your enthusiasm, life can wear you down. A job that once challenged you can become monotonous, a relationship that once excited you can grow stale, and a daily walk with God that once inspired you can feel like just going through the motions. The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek word which means ‘possessed by or inspired by God’. But how do you stay inspired? Just as the Israelites gathered fresh manna every morning, you need a daily infusion of God’s Word and God’s Spirit. Paul challenged the Christians in Rome: ‘Serve the Lord enthusiastically’ (Romans 12:11). And the believers in Galatia: ‘If someone is eager to do good things…that’s all right’ (Galatians 4:18). So instead of complaining about all the things you don’t like, realize that the presence and power of God lives within you and put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Remember whose kingdom you’re a citizen of. God’s! Author Sheldon Vanauken says: ‘The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians – when they are gloomy…joyless…self-righteous…smug… narrow and repressive.’ The Christian life is not meant to be a journey to the grave with the goal of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but a race to the finish line, used up, totally fulfilled, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’ David tells us God lifted him out of a pit of despair, put his feet on solid ground, and gave him a new song (see Psalm 40:1-3). And hasn’t He done the same for you? So show some enthusiasm!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep my eyes focused on You and Your Word and the end of the race – Heaven, and not get depressed by the day to day things that can drag me down. In Jesus’ Name, Amen