Pastor, do you have zeal or have you lost it? If so, then where did you leave it? Do you still have that ardent desire to follow God wherever He may lead you? As with the three Hebrew adolescents, have you resigned your life into the Providential hand of Almighty God without any reservations, or have you begun to think that zeal is set aside for the uneducated and immature Christians who have not achieved your spiritual level? Could it be that you have mistakenly embraced liturgical practice with zeal for God?
Lack Of Zeal Due To Fear And Duty…
Human nature astounds me sometimes for people can be pious one minute and carnal the next! Jumping from one extreme to another, whatever the venue, is not all that great. It shows lack of temperance and stability. Pastors have to guard against projecting a roller coaster mentality and endeavor to be an anchor steadfast and sure. As one strives to be a source of stability and strength, there is a natural tendency to lose zeal and excitement. Fearing to step out and reach for new and loftier goals, many pastors opt to live under the shadow of yesteryear. After all, yesteryear is just that… yesteryear!
Noah Webster defines zeal this way: “Passionate ardor in the pursuit of any thing.” Way back in 1828 Mr. Webster understood what it meant to have zeal or not. One must remember that out of control zeal, itself, can be the instigator of a roller coaster emotional ride. Of course, unbridled zeal can also lead to a great disaster, just like it did with Israel. The Apostle Paul spoke about this in Romans 10:1-2. It is also quite possible to be zealous in the wrong thing(s). Paul understood this awful scenario all too well! (Galatians 1:14 and Philippians 3:4-7)
(Romans 10:1-2) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (KJV)
Pastors who understand that a lack of zeal can be a side effect of trying to be a consistent source of strength and stability will be able to guard against being hedged in by fear and duty. Never think it cannot happen to you. It is like a cancer that eats away at us and often going unnoticed till we are totally desensitized.
I want to encourage every reader of this blog to passionately pursue Christ! Be a follower of the Lamb of God. No pastor should lose his zealous love of Jesus Christ. No matter how hard the battle may be and no matter how tall the mountain may seem to stretch into the sky, just keep on the firing line! Remember that you can make a difference where you are at by being a zealous pastor!
Related articles
- How to Pray for Pastors (ministry127.com)
- What The Pastor In NOT! (theworkingpastor.com)
