Boiling Point

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Romans 12:11

From Guest Blogger Kathleen Lane:

Can you imagine sitting in the stands at Lambeau Field and telling the person next to you “I couldn’t  care less who wins this game!”  Can you imagine high school students cheering during a basketball game, “Who’s gonna win? We don’t care!” It wouldn’t happen! Sports fans are enthusiastic. “Fan” is short for “fanatic”. That means they are intense. They are filled with fervor. They are on fire for their team.

In Romans 12:11 we are told  that our faith-lives should be filled with that same intensity. The words zeal and fervor are used to describe living the Christian life. Zeal is  enthusiasm, eagerness and determination. Fervor  refers to boiling or seething.

It is not uncommon for people to be full of zeal in our world. Zealous about sports, truth, excellence, or justice. We might be excited about a certain political candidate or about selling a product or service from our business. Think:  If we can be zealous for earthly, temporary things, how much more should we be fervent for God and His kingdom?!

Is your spiritual life at the “boiling point”? Is your spirit full of zeal for the things of God? Or do you become lethargic and sluggish in spiritual endeavors? Does your worship become mechanical? Does your discipline for prayer waned? Do you rationalize and make excuses when opportunities for service present themselves? Of course you do. We all do.

The good news is that God’s zeal and fervor do not fail. He enthusiastically pursues us. He eagerly forgives our failures. He is determined to carry us through to the completion of our salvation. He fills us with His empowering, fiery Spirit and raises our spiritual temperature, so to speak, so that we can worship and serve in uncommon ways.

Reflect on a time you felt “on fire” for the Lord. What was the spark? For our Lord’s disciples … they felt their hearts burning for God when they walked with the risen Christ, when they broke bread with Jesus (Luke 24:13-35). What can you do when your spiritual enthusiasm is low? Connect to Jesus again in His Word and in His sacrament.

Prayer: Lord, fill us with your Spirit. Lead us to serve you fervently. Amen.


#Uncommon