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!
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