Enthusiasm

Words often develop meanings apart from the original dictionary definitions. The word tolerant is an example. To be tolerant is to respectfully disagree, enduring another's opinion while still maintaing your own. However, when I respectfully disagree within today's society, I am often called intolerant.

As with most languages, the word enthusiasm evolved over the ages. Today, enthusiasm suggests intense and eager enjoyment or interest. It is derived from the late Latin word enthousiasmos (from enthous "possessed by a god, inspired"). The original Oxford Dictionary defitintion simply reads, "A person possessed by God."

This begs the question, "Am I an enthusiast by today's definition 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,