Enthusiasm

Words often develop meanings apart from original dictionary definitions. The word tolerant is an example. To be tolerant is to respectfully disagree, endure another’s opinion while still maintaining your own. However, when I respectfully disagree today, I am often called intolerant – very interesting.

As with most language, the word enthusiasm evolved over the ages. Today, enthusiasm suggests intense and eager enjoyment or interest – intense excitement for my sports team or my hobbies. It is derived from the late Latin word enthousiasmos (from enthous 'possessed by a god, inspired'). The original Oxford Dictionary definition simply reads, “A person possessed by God.”

This begs the question, “Am I an enthusiast by today’s definition only or also by the old Oxford Dictionary definition?” The Apostle Paul suggests that enthusiasm can be especially deep and rich when…

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men…(Colossians 3:23 NIV)

Will you enthusiastically join me in pursuing all we do as working for the Lord?

Sharing the journey with you,