“Alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic! Alive, alert, awake, enthusiasticâ€!
We sounded the words to the rhythmic clapping of our hands. Faster, faster, faster. Alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic! This morning drill formed part of our early morning leaders meeting at Winners’ Camp, a residential camp for teenagers on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasmâ€. As we went off to our daily tasks of shaping the lives and hearts of a troupe of teenagers—some more privileged than others—it wasn’t difficult to be enthusiastic about the day. I remember those seven days with such fondness. And I still remember many of the faces.
I learned a few years ago that the word “enthusiasm†comes from the Greek term “entheosâ€, meaning “God withinâ€.
When we can be enthusiastic about something, perhaps it is also an indicator that we are doing what we were meant to; that we are about the things that were set out for us on this earth to do. I find God in the places where I am most enthusiastic.
As another day dawns, am I alert, awake and enthusiastic about the possibilities that lie ahead? And if not, why not?
Dear God, today I invite you into every activity I put my hand and heart to. Thank you for filling me with enthusiasm as I go about the work you set out for me to do. Amen.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/16/im_enthusiasm/
Hello,
Enthusiasm is the power of God within us, it keeps us alive, smiling, full of hope. Knowing fully well that, that which he said he would do. We are enthusiastic when we maintain a positive attitude.
Hello,
I like to say something on enthusiasm since it’s the only factor that made me do the impossible possible. But this energy is only rooted in God. Only God hinself can provide the enthusiasm that enable me to do my work everyday and more.