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"Work with enthusiasm, as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people."
(Ephesians 6:7)
Last week, I wrote and taped an episode of my REvangelical podcast on the topic of enthusiasm. There are some words that put a smile on my face, and this is one of them. I think it is most appropriate to focus on this word this week, as we battle our way through this current pandemic. We need enthusiastic, positive people who possess this "can do" attitude and who are not only up for the challenge but also carry others along in their enthusiastic wake.
Enthusiasm is a compound word based on two Greek words, en (in or within) and Theos (God). (Unfortunately, in my podcast episode, I used the wrong prefix and said eu, which in Greek, actually means "good".) The word "enthusiasm" literally means "in God" or "God within". The most enthusiastic, blessed, and helpful people in the world should be the people of God, those who have a relationship with God, the giver of every good thing.
I came across the following synonyms for enthusiasm that help amply just what it means to be enthusiastic:
"Eagerness, keenness, ardour, fervour, warmth, passion, zeal, zealousness, zest, gusto, brio, pep, go, sap, liveliness, vivacity, vivaciousness, energy, verve, vigour, dynamism, vehemence, fire, excitement, exuberance, ebullience, spirit, avidity, avidness"
Source: https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/enthusiasm
What does the Bible have to say about enthusiasm? The New living Translation has nine verses with the word "enthusiasm" in them. Some mention it in a positive light and others in a more negative way, depending on the context. But from all these usages, one gleans a better understanding of what the word actually means.
- Deuteronomy 28:47: "If you do not serve the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received."
- Nehemiah 4:6: "At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm."
- Proverbs 19:2: "Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes."
- Haggai 1:14 (This is one of my favorite biblical texts that uses the word enthusiasm.): "So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God's people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven's Armies."
- Romans 10:2: "I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal."
- 2 Corinthians 8:7: "Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving."
- 2 Corinthians 8:16: "But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have."
- 2 Corinthians 9:2: "For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving."
- Ephesians 6:7: "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
How "in God" or enthusiastic are you? Check out tomorrow's devotional as I share some examples of enthusiastic people, including the most important of all, the Lord Jesus.
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Podcast of the Week
10 Principles for Effective Living: Enthusiasm
Pastor Danny focuses this episode on the principle of Enthusiasm, discussing the interesting linguistic roots of the word, how this characteristic benefits those who have it and everyone around them, and some inspiring examples of enthusiastic people.
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