en·thu·si·asm (noun)
1. Strong excitement of feeling
2. Something inspiring zeal or fervor
Enthusiasm is a powerful force. It inspires. It ignites. It propels us forward with passion, vision, and dedication.
Our word for enthusiasm comes from the Greek word entheos, which literally means “God within.” Wow! This perfectly describes the source of godly fervor: enthusiasm is ignited when we see a situation, opportunity, or problem the way God sees it. When we are allowing our perspectives to be shaped by His eternal knowledge (the Word of God), our lives will be marked by enthusiasm—regardless of what the day may bring. So essentially, the God-perspective is the only lasting source of enthusiasm.
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. (Romans 12:11 NLT)
Have you ever witnessed someone who can’t contain their excitement over their work? Day after day, they approach their responsibilities with zeal. Even in mundane or repetitive tasks, this person possesses joy. They execute everything with excellence—down to the tiniest detail, even when no one is watching. That is exactly the way our Father has called us to be.
Slaves [employees, team members] obey your earthly masters [employers, team leaders] with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you.
As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do. (Ephesians 6:5-8 NLT)
God says that as we serve our earthly leaders, we serve Him. Yes, this means that you should work for your boss as if you were working directly for God. And He doesn’t ask us just to work hard. He charges us to work hard with enthusiasm.
God wants you to find joy in your work! Work doesn’t have to be drudgery. He wants you to be enthusiastic about every aspect of your life. Enthusiasm is much more than just an emotion or a happy disposition. It is the effect of a deep conviction and a vivid understanding of God’s viewpoint. Again, Romans 12:11 says to serve the Lord enthusiastically. How do we serve the Lord? By the way we live our lives; this includes our work.
Every day presents new opportunities to live with strong excitement, zeal, and fervor. How is this possible? By seeing things as God sees them.
Whether you find yourself in an office, at your church, or somewhere else, you can live today in service to God. So get His perspective in your day-to-day. Embrace whatever is before you and discover the source of unyielding enthusiasm!
Want to learn more about enthusiasm? Check out this message from John Bevere.
Enthusiasm definition: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enthusiasm (accessed May 14, 2012).
