To Get And Maintain Enthusiasm, I Need God

In review of Romans 12:11-12 it says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Bottom Line:

Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times.

What this means to me:

I should not be lazy or lack zeal, but instead work hard eagerly following the Holy Spirit. I should serve the Lord with all my heart and devotion. I need to be happy in my confidence in HIm and patient in times of trouble. I should pray at all times. Also, as I make new goals for this year, I need to find a way to maintain my enthusiasm over the long haul. What I need help in is staying enthusiastic day after day, despite delays, difficulties, dead ends, problems, pressures and criticisms. Positive thinking or optimism will not be enough.  What I’ve learned today is that for me to stay enthusiastic for the long term is found in the word “enthusiasm” itself. The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word en theos. En is the Greek word for the English word “in.” Theos is the Greek word for “God.” So en theos means to be “in God.” My daily time with God, can help me with this enthusiasm,. a kind of enthusiasm that isn’t affected by the economy, weather or my circumstances. Paul tells me how to do this in Romans 12:11-12. He says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (NIV). To reach my goals for this year, I need to get God’s power by being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. I’ll need to humbly admit that I need His help. I need Him to help renew my mind. To help me to think the way he’d want me to think. To help me with humility, so that I don’t think more highly of myself than I should.  My faith needs to grow, and I will need His help in setting goals that can be measured so that I can manage them. I’ll need help in filling my life with love. I’ll need help in taking delight in honoring other people, to focus on giving my life away. I want to nurture my enthusiasm by being in you. Help me to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. I end this time with this prayer, “Dear God, I don’t want to go another day without you in my life, controlling every part of my heart. I offer you my body. I dedicate myself to you. In light of all you’ve done for me, I give myself as a living sacrifice to you as a spiritual act of worship.”