Dear Friends,
Jim Harbaugh, coach of the
Los Angeles Chargers, is one of my favorite football coaches. He is known for
his inspirational quotes, as well as his story telling ability. This past
Saturday in an interview with Marty and McGee, two of my favorite sportscasters
who host the popular Marty and McGee show on Saturday mornings,’ shared a story
that caught my attention.
They related how when Jim
and his brother John, who is the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, were
little kids living in Iowa City, their dad would drop them off to school each
morning.
Jim relates that he and
his brother were on their way to school sitting in the back seat of their
Chevy Biscayne with no heater and on one the coldest of winter days. As he and
his brother opened the door to get out of the car, their dad yelled at
the top of his voice, “Okay boys, grab your lunch boxes and go attack this day
with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”
And that expression from
the lips of their dad became a daily mantra for the boys as their dad would
drop them off at school each morning.
That message gained a lot
of traction in Jim’s life, and today he is well known for instilling the same
kind of passion and enthusiasm in his players while coaching at the
University of Michigan and now with the Los Angles Chargers.
His dad’s words were good
words for all of us to remember. What a difference it would make in our life if
we took to heart the same challenge to “attack this day with an enthusiasm
unknown to mankind.”
I will never forget him.
His name was Jonathan Deeb, and he was a student at Calvary Christian School in
Fort Lauderdale, FL. Most people never knew his name, but they could never
forget his enthusiasm.
Exhibiting joyful
enthusiasm, people would often chuckle as they watched him cartwheeling,
jumping up and down, and wildly waving his orange flag, as he directed traffic
onto the campus for one of the worship services at Calvary Chapel.
Jonathan was the
epitome of enthusiasm because he was excited about what he was doing for the
One he served. Some might classify Jonathan as being a little ‘far out,’ but
you could never criticize him for his lack of enthusiasm. He was one of God’s
great cheerleaders.
How’ is our enthusiasm
level for Jesus? Are we excited about our faith, or do we need a
spiritual tune up? Has it been a little too long since we've had a vital quiet
time? How's our prayer life? How is our worship? Do we still feel the
same excitement and expectancy we once felt when we first met the Lord and
walked into His sanctuary? What about our spiritual fervor? Are we white hot or
lukewarm? Do our spiritual batteries need a little recharging?
Enthusiasm comes from the
words ‘en’ ‘and ‘theos’ which means “in God." If we are "in
God," we ought to be enthusiastic. As I thought about this word, I was
reminded of Romans 12:11 when Paul gives advice on how to be Christian
cheerleaders. He writes, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual
fervor (be aglow with the Spirit) serving the Lord.”
Years ago, in a church I
served, there was a new member who had come to know Jesus and was on fire for
Him. He was emotionally and physically expressive in worship, but at the same
time he was sensitive enough to know that those around him might not possess
his same enthusiasm. And so, during the singing of one of the worship songs, he
turned to an older member in the church sitting next to him and asked, “Do you
mind if I raise my hands as I worship?” To which the elder gentleman succinctly
replied, “Yes, I do.” Unfortunately, my friend’s partner could have benefited
from a large dose of his enthusiasm.
It has been said
that enthusiasm “is faith set on fire.”
The apostle Paul exhorts
the Colossian Church to be enthusiastic. I sometimes close my
letters by signing “Colossians 3:23” after my name as an encouragement to the
reader: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men.”
The writer of Ecclesiastes
exhorts us to be enthusiastic: “Whatever, your hand finds to do, do it with all
your might.” Ecc. 9: 10.
How did the workers in
Nehemiah’s time complete the wall around Jerusalem in just 52 days? It
was because “the people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah 4: 6. They were
enthusiastic and full of passion as they worked to complete that wall.
Whatever you and I do
today, let’s do it enthusiastically. Let’s never go half speed, so that no one
can ever say we were guilty of sleepwalking through life.
May our faith never become
stale and passive because we fail to remember the incredible things that God
has done in our lives.
Jesus had some harsh words
for the lukewarm crowd. He says because you are neither hot nor cold but
lukewarm, I will spew (vomit) you out of my mouth. (Rev 3:16)
So, if any of us
need to fan the flames of our faith, let's get out the poker and stoke up some
of those flickering coals that may be in danger of going out.
Yours in faith and
friendship,
Tom
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