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Shownotes: How You Can Maintain Excitement in All Seasons of Ministry 006
Seasons come and go. It’s easy to be excited when all goes well. Can you maintain your excitement when this is not so? How do you function when there is no excitement?
Excitement. Beyond a fix or a thrill that is very situation based and will not stand the test of time. Thus, if we desire to maintain enthusiasm in all seasons, it must go beyond a thrill that titillates our senses. The excitement we talk about here is about energy and enthusiasm. It must have a different basis to endure in a God-honoring way
Which season are you in? How do you maintain your enthusiasm, your energy? How do you keep going when everyone seems to be against you, when it seems as if there is no harvest and keep going without dragging, flagging energy and dwindling commitment? How do you keep going with more than just the need to keep going, though that is useful at times.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully (1 Tim 4:1–5).
These verses outline some unfavorable situation. The time when it seems as if no one wants to hear. It didn’t matter. Like Timothy, we are to be faithful in and out of favorable times; to keep doing what are supposed to, called to do. Do we need excitement for this? Sure. Once we have the right base.
And now, as a captive to the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 18:22–24).
3 aspects to this solid base to maintain your excitement that are suggested in the Timothy and Acts passages:
- A call from God.
- A solid reason purpose.
- A certain hope.
Call. Did God call and send you out or are you just doing this because it seemed like a good idea? Or maybe something didn’t work out and ministry was something you could do. Not good enough. However when it is God calling and sending you will be doing what God wants and nothing overcomes that.
Do you know the specificity of your call?
Purpose. What about purpose? It must have depth and breadth, going beyond us.
Hope: There are two elements to the hope. One relates to the fruit of our testimony to the good news of God’s grace. The other is our eternal hope after we have finished our course; our eternal reward awaits. It is that forever with God, dwelling in God’s presence experiencing everlasting joy and gladness as we worship the One who only is worthy of our adoration.
Don’t forget love. Love binds them all. The unconditional love from God to which we open ourselves to receive continually and which God frees us to freely share.
Consider Jesus to maintain your excitement:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood (Hebrews 12:1–4).
Consider Jesus who had a call, purpose, and hope and stayed in God’s will. He knew the source of his joy.
It’s not the cheap thrill but that energy and enthusiasm that cannot be suppressed because once we’ve answered God, and are living God’s purpose with God’s sure hope that’s all praise.
We keep our eyes on Jesus with our call, purpose, and hope are every before us, allowing us to maintain our excitement in the midst of life and ministry by living in God’s center. That is where they are renewed, we receive new fuel and soar like the eagles.
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Bible Version
Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Music: “A True Friend” by Josh Molen
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Claire Annelise Smith, Phd, is a spiritual mentor and coach who empowers successful leaders to navigate life transitions with confidence, hope, and love. She helps clients maintain a strong connection with God, achieve personal and professional growth, and develop greater inner peace and resilience. Dr. Claire’s diverse background and transformative coaching methodology set her apart as an expert guide for those seeking clarity, purpose, and improved relationships.
Dr. Claire is also the founder of Strategic Lifestyle Connection, the platform through which she delivers her coaching, publications, and programs to empower successful leaders in transition.