Zealous

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

“____, ____, he’s our man! If he can’t do it, no one can!”

You may have lived through it. Generally, it was Friday, and the football team at your high school was scheduled to compete with another school’s team either Friday evening or Saturday. The cheerleaders, football players, and teachers would get up on stage and do what they could to encourage the players to do well and the audience to be excited for them. If nothing else, the players would anticipate their reception after whatever sort of performance they gave.

I suspect that’s one of our versions of zeal: artificially generated and maintained. Another is a “true believer” who exudes manic levels of enthusiasm and whose life is entirely bound up in the team, cause, or subject. The problem is, of course, that humans are finite. We don’t have an unending supply of energy or focus.

To not lack in zeal, we need to maintain it like we would any other part of ourselves. For it to be healthy, it needs to be fed, watered, and exercised. But, some care for their bodies to receive praise, and some care for their bodies so they are healthy enough to let them function well. The same is true for zeal. Sunshine and showers, good times and bad, community and solitude  – they’re all necessary to the well-being and strength of our zeal.

          Another illustration comes to mind about our zeal. If you heat water above 212o F, it will produce lots of steam and bubbles, but the pot will dry out quickly. If you keep the temperature lower, you may not get as much of a show, but the water will last longer. Sometimes, if our zeal cools, the zeal of another may help heat it.

          The verse ends with another key. Our zeal is not for our entertainment or our reputation. Our “thing” should be serving the Lord, however He calls us to do it now. If we have nothing definite to do, that’s a time to seek His wisdom in improving our capacity to serve.