Enthusiasm

"Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

- St. Paul, Colossians 3:23-24

"Your attitude today will determine your altitude in life tomorrow."

- John Maxwell

The word "enthusiasm" comes from the Greek word "entheos." "Theos" is the Greek word for God. So, "entheos" means "In God." In other words, when you are in relationship with the God of Love and Grace who rules the world, there should be an Enthusiasm that characterizes your life. Here's the Question: Does the way you're living your life make anybody want what you have?

Several years ago we ran a small group in our home on Tradition Street. Jim and Deanna were part of that group. Jim had been a very successful builder… he was tall, good-looking, smart, witty, strong… and then, bam, out of nowhere, was struck down by a debilitating stroke that left him incapacitated in a wheelchair at the age of 56. But, of the twelve people in that group, Jim defined "Enthusiasm!" His off-the-wall sense of humor, his infectious smile, his quick laughter and never-say-quit attitude was sourced in his relationship with a Risen Savior that he knew held out a promise to him of a full and abundant life (John 10:10) that was not limited in the least by his handicap. Jim handled his challenges with such optimism it made you want what he had.

I'll never forget how during one of our small group meetings we were talking about how to fan the flame in our marriages. Several couples were complaining that the "Wow" in their marriage was becoming an "Ow!"... routine had replaced passion. So, Jim tells us the story of the guy who’s in marriage counseling and says to the counselor, "My wife just isn't excited about our marriage anymore." And the counselor says, "Look, let me show you what you need"... and he grabs the guy's wife and kisses her right on the lips and the woman gasps and her face lights up and she says, "Wow!" The doctor looks at the husband and says, "Now, that needs to happen 7 days a week." "Gosh Doc," the guy says, "I can only get her here Monday, Wednesday and Friday!" Jim lived on the sunny side of life and he lit up the room for those around him.

Jim was not naive. He just chose to believe that because of who Jesus is and what He can do… today could be the day that things turned around…

...this could be the day the Prodigal comes home.

...this could be the day God's people enter the Promised Land.

...this could be the day Bartimaus receives his sight.

...this could be the day the paralytic gets up and walks.

...this could be the day the water becomes wine.

...this could be the day Jesus rises from the dead.

The last time I visited Jim, he was in hospice. He smiled at me and said, "This could be the day I meet my Savior." And it was.

I want to challenge you today to get your fire back! Listen, we all have areas of our life that over time become stagnant and routine and hard. But, understand this: We don't have to have something exciting going on to live with enthusiasm.

It's a decision we make every morning when we get up and choose to live with gratitude for the Risen Jesus who walks with us through every moment whispering,"This is the day I have made just for you… Rejoice and be glad in it!" (Psalm 118:24).

Pastor Harry

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