ZEAL?

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me.”

John 9:4 NKJV

The Bible word for passion is zeal. Without it, life can become pretty drab. Everything is a “have to” and nothing is a “want to” or a “must.” I'll never forget a meeting Amy had with the musicians and choir concerning the importance of ministry and commitment. She told us that "we don't "have to" sing in the choir....we "get to", we don't "have to" play our instrument....we "get to"....and we don't "have to" come to church.....WE "GET TO COME TO CHURCH" In John, when Jesus cleared the temple the Bible says that the disciples witnessed "Zeal", and remebered the scriptures that said "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up (or has consumed me)." There are a lot of places and a lot of people that wish they could go to church....we get to.....and take it for granted. Zeal keeps you going when others quit. It pushes you through the toughest times and gives you energy you didn’t know you possessed.

Nothing can take its place: (1) Opportunity can’t. Opportunity may open the door, but without zeal you won’t make the most of your opportunities and you won’t get to your destiny. Howard Hendricks said, “You don’t put live eggs under dead chickens.” That’s what opportunities are to people without zeal.
(2) Knowledge can’t. Some of America’s worst presidents are reputed to have been the smartest. And some of the greatest, such as Abraham Lincoln, had very little formal education. A résumé may get you through the door, but that’s as far as it will get you. (3) Talent can’t. There are many people in the world with great natural talent who never achieve personal or professional success. Talent is like money; it only grows when you put it to work. (4) Others can’t. You will never be successful without the help of others, but merely being surrounded with the right people doesn’t guarantee success. A team with no heart won’t succeed.

Zeal is the difference-maker. And one of the secrets of having zeal, is knowing that God has truly called and gifted you to do a certain thing. Jesus said: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me.” This kind of zeal is not taught but “caught,” so if you’re lacking in it today, spend more time with Jesus.