1 June 2021 – Romans 12:11 (NIV)

Reflection

The definition of the word zeal reads as: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

Growing up in Chicago in the 90’s I had the great privilege of watching the Bulls win 6 championships. For the final three of those championships the Bulls had recruited one of the most unlikely characters to their team, Dennis Rodman. A pest from an old rival team, the Detroit Pistons, Dennis infamously fought with all the key members of the Bulls and was notoriously difficult to get along with both on the court and off of it! He was a very odd character who lived an odd lifestyle and even carried that out to the court. His was fittingly nicknamed “The Worm”. Despite his eccentric character, Dennis was an amazing rebounder and defender. His energy was profound and he played with intense enthusiasm on the court. For a team that had already won three championships (with nothing further to prove) this was a perfect scenario for falling into lackadaisical tendencies. Dennis provided the exact kind of zeal on court that would help propel the team further to three more championships.

In life you are likely to run into all types of people, even in the church, that you don’t always get along with. Over the years I have served with a lot of people and sometimes not perfectly jelled with some. Regardless of personality fit, one thing I learned to become appreciative of is a person’s zeal for the Lord. In fact, a person’s zeal for the Lord has become one thing I look for in a volunteer. I’ve learned to look past my often flawed personal view of people and see them as God sees them, a son or daughter who loves Him and is full of zeal for Him.

Thoughts for the day