“Kill the umpire!” Well, people don’t really mean that. Some do get a little upset with umpires once in a while when we believe he missed a close call. You know he was wrong, he is blind as a bat, you almost want to put down your hot dog and go out there and tell him. In reality, we never really wish umpires any harm, but it seems it is accepted to get really excited and enthused at a ballgame.
Whether it’s a playoff baseball game or a final play in a football ams on the one-yard line, some get really excited with no concern for maintaining our composure. We are even a little suspicious of anyone sitting next to us who does not get excited.
But I have always been puzzled as to why we get so excited about sports and do not get excited about spiritual things. Why are we so amazed when someone gets excited about the things of the Lord at church?
Paul spoke of his deep desire to serve the Lord, he said, “For the love of Christ constrains us,” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The word “constrain” means to “pour all your energies into one channel.” It is a compelling love. Paul said, “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God,” (2 Corinthians 5:13). Do you think some people thought Paul was going too far in his enthusiasm for the things of Jesus? Probably so.
In my opinion, we must not limit enthusiasm to sports. In reality, the word “enthusiasm” was borrowed from a spiritual setting. Our word “enthusiast” comes from the Greek word “enthusiats.” Broken down, “en” means “in the power of” and “theos” is the for God. So to be enthusiastic is “God in us” or “in the power of God.”
Now this does not mean we are to be wild and out of control. To the same church in Corinth, Paul said, “Let all things be done decently, and in order,” (1 Corinthians 14:40). There should be an excitement, a God-given enthusiasm about our work for the Lord. It is with zeal we need to love the Lord Jesus and share the good news of the gospel with those around us. Let’s really get excited about Jesus and the power of the gospel to save.
