Neal Pollard
Have you seen The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore video where he is ebulliently exulting over the thunder snow he witnesses and knows to be captured by his cameraman? The YouTube video montage where he is on camera for six lightning strikes says it all. At one point, he implies that he’d rather experience this weather event than win the $500 million lottery. The enthusiasm is transparent and honest. You can’t help to feel excited about what he’s excited about because he so enthusiastically expresses it.
Being a Christian is not necessarily a non-stop fist-pumping, mountain-top experience. The late Wendell Winkler used to say that there are not very many mountain-top or valley days but that most were “in between.” He called it “the glory of the ordinary.” What we do on the ordinary days is what typically makes the bigger impact. However, the genuine enthusiasm of Christians is certainly contagious! Some of the best church leaders I have known have known how to inject others with zeal. Other words are “passion,” “desire,” and “excitement.” If this is artificial and contrived, it is eventually detected. True enthrallment for pursuing the will of God, though rare, leaves its mark far and wide.
What should fire our enthusiasm?
- A baptism
- A wayward Christian being restored
- A well-delivered, challenging, and biblically accurate lesson
- A demonstration of decisive, godly leadership
- A challenge to growth or involvement
- Godly conviction from our youth
- Hearing of a good work within our brotherhood
- Singing in worship
- A sound idea for church growth
- The dedication shown by a spiritual brother or sister
Challenge yourself. Ask, “What gets me excited?” If the Georgia Bulldogs were to ever win the National Championship again, look out world! I’d give those around me a “Jim Cantore” moment. My honest prayer is, “Lord, help my greatest passion and enthusiasm be reserved for the things that will endure after the heavens and the elements burn and melt” (2 Pet. 3:11). Let’s get excited about serving Jesus and doing His will!
8 replies on “Enthusiasm Is Contagious!”
Now that is something to hold on to! Very funny, well-written, and very worthwhile read. Thank you for making me smile.
Terri, watch the video on YouTube if you can find it. I feel like we should know each other. Remind me if that’s the case, which I think it is. I went to your blog and appreciate your godly perspective. Thank you for the inspiration!
Maybe you know me from Washington DC or Durham North Carolina?
Certainly been both places several times. Where did you go to church there?
In Washington I was at the Washington DC Church of Christ with Russ Ewell as evangelist. In Durham I am still at Triangle Church of Christ. I left for a long time but things are so much better now. And you? I do recognize both you and your wife!
I preached for nearly 12 years at the Cold Harbor Road church of Christ in Mechanicsville, VA (almost midway between DC & RDU). We’ve lived in Denver, CO, since 2006. Maybe we’ll figure it out. 🙂
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