How You Can Enjoy the Blessing of Living with Enthusiasm Now
Would you say you’re living with enthusiasm? What makes you enthusiastic?
The word enthusiasm is made up of two little Greek words . . . en and theos.
“En” is the Greek word for within or in, and “theos” is the Greek word for God.
So “enthusiasm” literally means to be “full of or in God.”
It shouldn’t surprise us then that Paul wrote:
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Romans 12:11
God is the One who gives us our gifts and abilities. Is it any wonder that He wants us to use them enthusiastically?
He created the world to be full of enthusiasm. He created you and me to be full of His love . . . full of God-given enthusiasm or “en theos.”
The Word tells us the following about God:
God loves you!
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16
God is enthusiastic about you!
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17
God is for you!
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?
Romans 8:31
Last time, we talked about the ways God helps us when we live through trials and troubles.
Paul lived through countless crises and wrote the following to the people in Rome:
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.
Romans 5:3–5
We can live with enthusiasm because “God loves us” and gives us His “Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.”
So, let me ask you again . . . are you enthusiastic?
Can people see God with and within you by the way you love and glorify Him and the people around you?
As you go through the day today, remember that God is not only enthusiastic about you; He is the One who puts enthusiasm in you.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Experience the Blessing
of Living with Enthusiasm Now
Father, I love learning that the word enthusiasm means to be full of You . . . full of Your love. You are the Giver of enthusiasm. It is evident in everything You have created. Please make it evident in me.
I’m sorry. I know I hide the joy and enthusiasm You want to show through me when I selfishly focus on myself. Please forgive me. I want the fullness of life that You offer. I want to be so full of Your love that it pours out through me into the lives of the people You place in my life.
Father, please help me focus my heart and mind on You. Help me love like Jesus. Help me live and love with enthusiasm. Please grant this by Your grace. I give myself to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I love this quote from Rick Warren:
“When you get in God, you will be enthusiastic. It’s the kind of enthusiasm that isn’t affected by the economy or the weather or your circumstances. It’s eternal because you are tied to the eternal God. You are in Christ.”
Can you imagine? If God can pour joy and enthusiasm into us through His love in this sinful world, just imagine what heaven is going to be like. An eternity in the presence of the One who is love . . . the One who gives us joy.
So, let’s focus on the Lord today and enjoy the blessing of living with enthusiasm.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:10–11
Because…
Faith combined with enthusiasm will change your life!
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Your prayer Deb is a perfect fit to my life and needs. I’m affraid to admit but I severely lacking enthusiasm. My faith is more like the cat hanging on the branch, holding on by tooth and nail. I know God is love, I have all His promises that He embraced me from my birth – even while I was His enemy – He never revoked His covenant made to me. Yet, somehow my spiritual life is lacking something, somewhere….and I can’t put my finger on it.
Sometimes I’m worried that I focus more on the mechanics of faith, e.g., reading, praying, etc., rather than on Jesus, and to become simply a child. When reading comes from an inner desire to know Him and praying an enthusiastic activity looking forward to spend time with my Heavenly Father. Not to worry if I say the right things or not, not to worry about my feelings toward the Lord….but just simply focusing on Him and let Him work all this out in me. Corrie Ten Boom had a cute story about this child like relationship – “A mother put her child to bed after a day in bible class. As she was closing the door, she heard the child reciting the alphabet. She stepped back in the room and asked the child what was he doing? He said, the bible class teacher told as to pray, but I don’t know how. So I give God the alphabet and let Him make a prayer out of it.”
I spent a lifetime worrying about my treacherous heart, rather than just to tell Jesus that this is the heart I have, I need a new one from Him. It seems like there is a long road ahead of me to the enthuastic life in Jesus …but thank you for pointing out.
I love that story from Corrie Ten Boom. What a blessing that He knows our hearts and our needs. I love your heart and your honesty . . . I think we can all relate. Praise God for His mercy, grace, and unconditional love. God bless you!
Oh what a marvelous gift is Enthusiasm. I never knew its true meaning. Thank you so much for that. I do try to reflect that love to all I meet but I am not always successful. There are times I allow a cloud to cover that joy and love but I will keep on trying. Without that love within what else do I have. I must reflect it out on all who cross my path. Thanks Deb for that wonderful reminder that I was created in love and that God meant for me to shine that love on all.
May the Lord bless you and your day.
I hear you, Marilyn. I can let the clouds cover my joy at times too. But I’m praying that He will prompt me with His Spirit to share His love and shine the light of His love even when the skies are gray and I’m struggling. I believe He is faithful to His promises. Blessings!