Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:10-12)
The alarm blares. Its 5:00 AM and time to rise. Two feet hit the floor, three snoozes later. The rush begins to get cleaned up, start the coffee, wake up the kids, dress them (hopefully matching), run a brush through their hair (and yours), grab the quickest item possible for breakfast and head for the door. Put shoes on, lock the door (make sure keys are in hand) and leave the driveway. The rush continues as you venture to drop kids off at babysitter, drive to the office/workplace and finally clock in (five minutes late).
The day keeps on as the clock ticks away the seconds encompassing the day. You work hard and complete all tasks presented. Then, the clock strikes 5:00; quickly, you veer to the door. Traffic turns a 30 minute drive into 50 minutes, kids wait anxiously by the door for pickup and a menu for supper does not exist yet. Once you hit the door, the kids 'let their hair down' and turn to meltdown mode. It seems that supper will be late AGAIN tonight due to all the distractions. Oh, and did I mention, baseball practice is at 7:00 and dance at 6:30. Rush, rush, rush.
Okay, take a breath. . . everyone returns home about 9:00 to get baths, make lunches for the next day, fold at least one load of laundry and maybe get to the dishes. Your head hits the pillow around 11:00 PM only to get up and start over in six hours.
We tend to fall in the same, mundane patterns of everyday living. The lifestyle brings apathy. Apathy, by definition, means absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. Completing the same sequence of events daily and encountering all the stress that comes with it can definitely steal one's excitement and passion. We begin to form a rut and continue going through the motions; lifeless!
Yes, the everyday activities keep us busy, work piles up and needs attention and life just keeps happening; but, avoid the excuses which steal your joy. If only. . . I could have a vacation, switch jobs, the kids were older, etc. These thoughts keep us from living the life God intended and shift our focus on the life we think would be best for us. All the while, our joy diminishes and apathy sets in. Well, guess what my friend? God has you exactly where He wants you and asks for you to give it all 100%. Scripture tells us what attitudes must be and the results of our following His plan for our lives. Seek His Word and you will find reason for your life - to be His servant everywhere He leads. Listen to Him, get your head out of the rut your feet created and bring zeal into your heart and soul!
Zeal, by definition, means fervor for a person, object, or cause; eager desire of endeavor; enthusiastic diligence. Each day may consist of the same schedule, but never are any two the same. You woke up this morning, breathing in fresh air and able to stand on two feet. You are able to read the words on this computer. These two factors, in and of themselves, should be enough to bring zeal into your day! God has blessed you with another day to serve Him here on Earth. We must open our eyes to love the people presented in our path, the world happening around us and the attention our family and loved ones need. Those encountered daily will learn from our example, see God through our words and actions and seek Him because we displayed His love to them.
The Scripture above warns us to never lack in zeal. Seek His Word daily, pray faithfully, hope in Him and be patient. He will guide, protect and use every one of His children to further His Kingdom. Whatever you do, wherever you go; He can use you. So, as the day continues in a whirlwind, remember to reach up to Him. Avoid tunnel vision and being determined to complete YOUR plan for the day. Seek Him and submit the day to Him. He may have something totally different in mind for your day. Guess what? His plan will bring joy and fill your soul with zeal.
So much opportunity exists throughout your day to pray and seek His Word. I can guess what you may be thinking; yeah right, I barely have time to breath. Well, listen closely. While driving to the babysitter - turn off the radio and pray with the kids, engage in their lives and enjoy their little stories. While driving to and from work - pray, listen to a sermon on CD or even play the Bible on CD. At work - be in constant conversation with God, take a struggling coworker to lunch and present a smile to everyone you meet. At home - bring the kids into the kitchen to help cook supper, read a devotion with the family before going to bed and pray together. You will see and feel His presence at a greater, deeper level as you seek to know Him more. Ask Him into your day today and the mundane will vanish. Apathy will be no more!
God, thank you for another day. Thank You for making each day exciting and with purpose. I submit this day to You and will follow the plan You created for this day in my life. Thank You for caring so much to plan out my every day and every moment. I am here to serve and honor You. Bring others into my path that need to know You. Give me the words and actions which are pleasing to You. Here I am, use me to shine Your light to all. I love You.
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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