Zealously Live

Zeal (n) -energetic and unflagging enthusiasm, especially for a cause or idea.


Zealously (adj.) -full of zeal; actively and unreservedly enthusiastic


Just reading these definitions get me all sorts of excited about living for God's glory. There is no other cause that i want to be known as or lay my life down for than the Creator of the Universe.

Earlier this week i was reading in 1 Kings and was really challenged at how the characteristic of zeal was being made known (or lack of) in my own life. The prophet Elijah had just encountered the Almighty God in the gentle whisper.

And a voice said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied again, "I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty..." ~1 Kings 19:14

Ashamedly, i cannot say i've always served the Lord with zeal. Some mornings Bible study has a stronger focus on what time it is than the scripture i'm studying, memorizing verses becomes another thing on the to do list than the privilege to know God's word, and seeking a higher moral standard is the last thing this sinner wants to do at the end of the day at times.


BUT this doesn't dismiss the reality... if i've actually come into the presence of God, if i've actually sought after Him as if my life depended on it-wouldn't there be a HUGE difference in how i interact with others and live my life. If we have the Spirit of God living in us (as promised in 1 Corinthians 3:16) shouldn't we live differently than those who don't?

The answer should be a resounding YES!!!

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep
your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ~Romans 12:11

Ardor (n) -intense emotion: great passion, enthusiasm, or eagerness

The morning that i read this passage on Elijah, i committed to live with more zeal than was humanly possible with God's guidance. My travels had landed me in California on this particular day, and i was blessed to be surrounded by people.

Walking out of my hotel room, people's faces seemed to shine differently, i was drawn to start conversations with others more easily, and there was this forward pulling momentum of the goodness i was to witness from God that day.

That night when i returned to my hotel, i realized there was nothing that would be considered unusual or especially unique about the day, but i still found myself dancing before the Lord in praise. (I like to think as wildly as David did in 2 Samuel 6:14.) Perhaps this whole illustration seems questionable and even embarrassing for me to retell.

The point is...

there was a difference in my relationship with God when i pursued Him with zeal.

Fervor (n) -intensity: ardent or extremely passionate enthusiasm

We each know a person(s) in our life that lives with zeal. There is something special about them; almost a glow about them as they go about their day. Elijah, Paul, and David-all men zealously living for God, were seeking the same God we can zealously pursue.

i want to join them. Do you?