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

Spark

I don't know much about him. Not even sure if he's still alive. And I'm pretty certain he has no idea who I am or that he had such a powerful impact in my life. I only know him as "Pastor Lange"; and that in the mid-90's he was a guest preacher at a Lutheran church in Muncie, Indiana. I wasn't a member there. Hardly ever went to worship there. For all of high school and college I hardly ever went to any church, but I had grown up in a Lutheran church. So when I was struggling with life ... I went to check out the nearest Lutheran church.

Pastor Lange was filling in that day ... and as a preacher, he probably had his routine. He had obviously been doing this for years. He preached on Luke 15, the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. And afterward, he went back home to wherever home was (which I think was out of state). Maybe it was the only time he ever preached in that church, I don't know. Probably he has long forgotten that sermon. But I haven't!

Pastor Lange shared these words of Jesus (v.10): "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Angels ... REJOICING! Over one sinner ...... over ME! Those words touched my spirit in a way that few words ever have. Those words ignited a fire in me that ultimately led me to be a preacher myself ... and to devote my whole life to touching the lives of other people with the GOOD NEWS that Jesus loves them too ... and throws a party in heaven when they come to Him!!

Something sparked that memory in me today ... and got me thinking of all the unheroic things we do every day. Things we don't think much about ... but just may be the spark that ignites faith in someone.

Jesus told his disciples: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Mt. 5:16). Perhaps it is as simple as a word of encouragement to a coworker or a shoulder for a friend to cry on. A small gift or a random act of kindness to a stranger. Maybe a prayer with your six-year-old who woke up scared from a dream. I believe it doesn't have to be big ... just letting the grace of Christ shine through you. But who knows! Maybe it's the spark that ignites a spiritual fire in someone ... and you won't know it ... until they run to thank you in heaven someday.