A Zealous Faith

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

Each day is a gift,
So ask God as you kneel
To ignite your spirit,
Never lacking in zeal.

Keep your spiritual fervor
As you exercise your gift,
You never know whose day
You are going to lift!

Serve the Lord with all your heart,
Don't allow your faith to slack;
You're a child of the Kingdom
So hold nothing back!

Our church has helped a public school in a low income neighborhood for several years on various projects. One year the principal spoke to us about the school’s theme for his teachers: Patience-Positivity-Passion. I’ve been thinking about these three words a lot lately. They seem so appropriate for the season we are in right now.

We’ve certainly had to practice patience as we await the opening of businesses, practice social distancing, and endure wearing masks wherever we go. Scripture reminds us that the troubles we go through can help us grow in our faith.

James 1:2-4My dear family, when you find yourselves tumbling into various trials and tribulations, learn to look at it with complete joy, because you know that, when your faith is put to the test, what comes out is patience. What’s more, you must let patience have its complete effect, so that you may be complete and whole, not falling short in anything.

It’s also important to keep a positive attitude no matter what is happening around us. That doesn’t mean we’re going around with a Pollyanna attitude. Realistically, things are tough right now. But, we can find joy and contentment even in the midst of a pandemic. It’s all in our perspective of the situation. Focus on what God has provided.

Philippians 4:8 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.

And then there is our passion for the Lord. Our faith can become complacent when we’re not meeting with other Christians on a weekly basis. Going to church and small group meetings sharpen our spiritual lives. During this time of social distancing, we must be intentional in staying connected with our spiritual family, spending time reading scripture, and taking time to pray, so our zeal for the Lord remains.

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

Keep your spirits up, my friends! Embrace patience, positivity, and passion as you continue to seek God every day.

       Lord, I pray that we would find contentment when our patience wanes, focus on positivity when we face difficulties, and revive our passion to live out our faith. Amen