Wise Enthusiasts — A LifeWords Devotion

Most of us know people who have plunged into some activity or ministry with great enthusiasm and later burnt out. Their passionate zeal dried up. Some may have learnt a lesson from that, but others may have just given up and surrendered to apathy.

Church leaders or anyone responsible for an organisation will welcome enthusiastic people. But they sometimes have to pick up the pieces when the enthusiasm fades, when the zeal is misdirected, when the passion turns sour. This happens when the person concerned does not marry together their enthusiasm and wisdom. They rush in without due thought, and what appeared so promising has curdled into disillusionment.

Of course, there is the other extreme, where caution and fear prevent anything being done. Our churches need to take bold initiatives, to take risks. But they need to be wise in doing so. One zealous individual can’t hijack a church and rush into things without consultation and prayer. Doing endless risk assessments can paralyse a church; not considering the risks can tear a church apart.

The same Holy Spirit who stirs enthusiasm in our hearts can also be relied upon to sprinkle his wisdom into our hearts. Wise enthusiasts are what we need.

Blessings,