Are you an Enthusiast?

I have found the holiday season to be a time when many Christians feel out of touch with people around them. As followers of Jesus we truly want to be focused on glorious gift of Immanuel – God with use. The problem too often is that we do not seem to feel “God in us.”

The Greek word for “God in us” is the word enthousiasmos which has as its base the word entheos, or, possessed by God. The more common word was enthousiazein which translates “to be inspired by a god.” Now it is true that the our English word “enthusiasm” no longer carries with it the deeper reason for the, “Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause,” [The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000] but we can still reclaim it.

Writing to a very unenthusiastic church scattered and thinly spread over the world the Apostle Peter writes,

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. {7} Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. {8} Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {9} Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. {10} And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. {11} To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Pet 5:6-11).

I take five habits of the enthusiast from this text:

Develop the habit of being a Team Player – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (6). We are not in this alone and cannot maintain our enthusiasm without affirmation from others. Your service to LHCC as leaders of Growth Groups is an exceptional gift to our members who may find their enthusiasm waning this month.

Develop the habit of Trusting God Completely – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (7). Just as I can move much faster and with more agility when I loose a few pounds, so, you and I as followers of Jesus have a lighter heart when we let God have our worries and frustrations.

Develop the habit of seeing Sin as Evil – “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (8). Sin doesn’t sneak up on us – Satan is so sure of his prey that he brags from the bill boards, tv stations, movie theaters and even the places we shop and eat. I find I have to identify the activity I am about to take part in as sin before I get to it. “Deliver us from evil” was part of the prayer our Lord gave His followers for a good reason. We have to get ahead of the Evil One.

Develop the habit of being Accountable to the church – “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (9). Just knowing that I am joined in my desire to filled with God rather than the focus of this world by millions of other followers, many facing far more worries than I, gives me another reason to be enthusiastic rather than apathetic.

Develop the habit of Glorifying God – “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (10-11). When my first words in the morning honor God and welcome Him in my life I know the last words of the day will be in thanksgiving for his providence. Now that is the way to face each and every day with enthusiasm!