Hey friend, a few months ago I was reminded of how one’s zeal / passion to serve God can be easily softened, reduced or even lost. This can be due to so many reasons, the obvious being when we deliberately start living out of God’s standards. However, I find that our zeal is often heavily influenced by the happenings around us. These can be circumstances or situations happening in the world at large, the church, among believers, at work, among friends, and even in the family.

Examples of some of the circumstances / situations that can negatively influence one’s zeal to love God, follow Him and/or serve Him consistently with integrity include: 1) moral failure of leaders, 2) ill treatment and/or indifference from people we trust e.g. friends/family/leaders etc., 3) politics in the church/work environment (when people use their authority, power, personality or delegation to advance their personal agenda; resulting in back-stabbing, blackmailing, forming malicious alliances against others, belittling, gossiping or spreading rumours or false accusations etc.), 4) church or other prestigious platforms being used for personal aspirations of fame / popularity without any immediate observable repercussions, 5) favouritism, 6) racial discrimination/prejudice, 7) the need or desire to be reorganized by : church (leaders and/or regular members), leaders in our circle, those we regard with high esteem, family members etc.

So many well-meaning people have been burned or hurt because of situations like the above mentioned and so much more. As a result, their zeal to follow God, serve Him, or be passionate about doing what is right in His sight often gradually grows cold and when not dealt with, I think can even be lost. Examples of signs showing that one’s zeal for God may be at risk include: 1) you now simply agree with what’s popular, 2) you are no longer excited to serve God, 3) you’ve become resentful and/or bitter and now wanting to take revenge, 4) discouragement and disappointment about situations and/or people has overtaken you to the point that you deliberately and now automatically isolate yourself from situations or people, 5) you no longer take initiatives, 6) the excitement and light that used to shine in your countenance seems to have dimmed etc. Can you relate? I for one can definitely relate, as I have personally experienced a few of these signs.

The zeal and excitement I once had to simply step out of my comfort zone to do things/reach out just started dimming, due to some of the above-mentioned reasons. However, I found that remaining at this state for a long time may adversely impact one’s love for God to the point of deliberately sinning against Him. So, how do we regain our zeal, devotion and love for God and His Kingdom? There are two big lessons I personally learned and which have helped bring back my zeal in the areas where I had lost them.

The first lesson learned was to never equate people’s behaviours to God‘s character regardless of their status and/or how spiritual or intellectual/knowledgeable those people may seem. There were people I highly esteemed because of their faith, but when I started noticing questionable behaviours from them it seemed as though God approved their actions, especially since they were not changing. We often equate people or negative situations to God. God created humans with a free will, so regardless of how spiritual or intelligent they are or may seem, they are still subject to make choices or behave in ways that God does not necessarily approve. I learned to not look or equate people’s behaviour to who God is.

For one, unlike humans, God is God, Creator of all things and the universe, and always consistent, when people are not. The Bible in Psalm 92 reminds us that “there is no evil in God”; thus, His intent for humans is and has always been good. This is why it’s important to know Who God is (in terms of His character). God, Creator of this universe and of all human beings, plainly revealed Himself through the pages of the Bible (old and new testament), and more specifically through His One and Only Son Jesus Christ. Through the happenings and teachings in the Bible, we can obtain knowledge about Who God is and how He works; and through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ, we can actually experience for ourselves Who He is and experience Him working in and through us. In the Old Testament book of Hosea 4:6 we are informed that God’s people perish by lack of knowledge. Thus, when we lack the knowledge of God (both intellectually and experientially), it’s easy to fall prey to deception by equating any of the above-mentioned negative situations to God’s character.

The second lesson I was reminded of is the importance of doing things (accomplishing tasks) for the purpose of pleasing and obeying God and not necessarily people. I find that being in this mindset really helps keep one in check, protects from hurts and sinning against God through bitterness, resentment, un-forgiveness. No wonder why the Bible encourages us in Colossians 3:23 to do everything (whatever we do at work, church, home, social settings etc.) for the pleasing of The Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes when disappointments or discouraging situations occur in my life personally, I find that they help me refocus on what truly matters by forcing me to remember the why behind the what.

I honestly no longer want to be trapped in the cycle of letting my zeal for God be adversely impacted by my own wrongdoings (sin) as well as the negative happenings in the various circles / environments God placed me in. Friend, has anything or anyone negatively influenced your zeal to 1) know God through His Son Jesus Christ, 2) grow actively in your relation with Christ Jesus, and 3) to serve Him and be truly committed to Him?

Remember, don’t equate people’s negative/bad actions to God’s character, as we live in a fallen world where many people are doing what seem right in their own eyes. Also, God is The One Who Created you and me, has positive/good intentions towards us, and He is the One Who sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our wrongdoings, so that when we place our hope and faith in Jesus Christ, we can experience God’s salvation, find meaning/purpose in our day-to-day activities as well as experience God’s character in and though our own lives. 

Friend, if you are a born-again Christian, remember that your labour is unto The Lord Jesus Christ and not in vain nor for people or to impress them! Also remember what Jesus said in Luke 18:8 (KJV): “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Let’s look up to The Lord Jesus Christ for help to focus our attention on what truly matters. Let’s really get back to our first love! Looking up to The Lord Jesus Christ, our first love, will enable us to remain faithful in our love, devotion, and zeal for God both now and until Christ’s second coming.

What are your thoughts on this topic friend? Let’s chat!