21 February, 2017

Enthusiasm and South Australian Hills



I have always felt that one of the chief reasons for success in life is enthusiasm. William Lyon Phelps

I read that quote years ago, and it lodged in my mind. I didn’t live it, but I observed it. While I was away, I learned some things about enthusiasm. Each morning before we went out on the doors to canvass and share Christ, we’d gather around and have prayer time. Anyone could pray, and invariably someone would ask for energy, cheerfulness, and enthusiasm. Then, while we were travelling to where we’d be for the day, we’d each pick a prayer partner to keep in mind throughout the day, and ask them what they wanted prayed for. Often, people requested enthusiasm.

I was thinking about this my last day canvassing with the team. I was tired and sad that it was the last day, when the thought came that I should rather be making the most of it. I prayed and asked for enthusiasm. I remembered one day a couple of weeks before when a few in our team decided to see how many copies of The Path to Peace – our smallest book – they could get out in one day. They each got out over three times what I normally would. I was thinking about what made the difference: purpose and enthusiasm. So I decided to put everything into it for the last few hours. And God gave me the enthusiasm. Literally, my attitude totally reversed, and I was so excited and full-on at every door, whether they accepted me or not. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Since coming home, I keep slipping into this dull attitude: life’s a drag, I’m bored, why does everything have to involve decisions and be so stressful. Just last week I was praying and asking God why I felt so tired and lifeless. I hadn’t been doing near as much as while I was away, but I felt dead. God gave me this strong impression that what I was missing was enthusiasm. When I stopped to think about it, life was great, God was doing awesome things, exciting opportunities were in front of me. There was plenty to be enthusiastic about. And then He gave me enthusiasm, and I no longer felt tired and bored. Nothing in my situation changed. It was purely my attitude.

These experiences have two lessons that I’ve noticed. The first is: ask God for enthusiasm. For whatever reason, it never occurred to me to pray for enthusiasm before. But God can do everything, and He most definitely can give enthusiasm, even when it’s the last thing we feel.

The second point is: why not live life enthusiastically? We can be enthusiastic about something in every situation. Sure, some times are hard, but there are always small blessings and gifts from God we overlook – breath, life, health, sunshine, the view, honey and peanut butter. Why not be enthusiastic? It makes life much more exciting, and enjoyable. It turns mundane tasks and everyday experiences into fun. Life is short, and we can only live each day once. Why not dive into it headfirst, be thrilled at every blessing God sends us, and have an attitude of enthusiasm? That’s what I’ve been asking myself.

And then, in the middle of writing this, I remembered my post last year, about finding God in the original meanings of words. “Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word entheos. En means in, and theos refers to God – literally possessed by God, or God is in them.” So of course, enthusiasm comes from God; it comes from God living and working through us. No wonder He can give it, and no wonder it makes life so much better. It’s how He made us to be.

Enthusiasm is more than I thought.

~

What are your thoughts on enthusiasm? How do you think we can live enthusiastically? Have you ever had an experience where enthusiasm made all the difference?

And does anyone else see beauty in these dry hills? Have you ever been to South Australia?

28 comments:

  1. I like the photos :)
    Yes, attitude changes make all the difference. It always used to annoy me when my mum told me to change my attitude (how can you just, CHANGE YOURE ATTITUDE?!) but I've grown in the past year and learnt a lot. It helps to be cheerful no matter what happens.

    And another thing: doesn't matter how you're feeling, always treat the people around you nicely. More often than not, it's not any fault of theirs you're feeling the way you are, so why should they get the brunt of it? Even if their actions contributed to the way you're feeling, there is a great opportunity to turn a cheek! Or heap coals of fire!

    (Sorry, that has nothing to do with what you wrote, but it's been in my mind. I felt like sharing it haha)

    Have a good week ❤

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. Thanks. :) Yes, I used to be annoyed by that too, haha. But you're right; there's always something we can be cheerful about.

      I appreciated your second thought too, and I'm glad you shared it. :) I need to do better at that - sometimes it's easy to treat friends and acquaintances well, but because I'm comfortable with my family, unfortunately they wear it.

      Thanks for your comment; I always enjoy hearing from you. :) I hope you're having a good week too!

      Delete
  3. That post just literally knocked me out. Holy cow. Your words are so powerful. And you're right—all it takes is a little enthusiasm and a lot of God. This is just what I need to hear! Thank you for sharing such beautiful words. <3
    By the way, your blog is so incredibly inspiring. Don't ever stop blogging! :D

    Sophy
    lavender & blue
    the inkpot girl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seriously?! Thanks so much for your encouragement, and sweet comment! Praise God this could speak to you. And I really like the way you summed it up - a little enthusiasm and a lot of God. Yes!!

      Thanks again for your comment, Sophy! :)

      Delete
  4. Amen, God is good! Thanks so much for sharing this Jess. I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, He is. :) I'm just slow to remember sometimes. That's encouraging to hear! Thanks heaps for reading and commenting, Grace! It's nice to hear from you. :)

      Delete
  5. Thank you for sharing this-and the pictures are GORGEOUS. I would love to visit Australia one day. =)

    Micaiah
    notebooksandnovels.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome - thanks so much for reading, and commenting, and following! And yes, I'm sure you'd enjoy Australia. ;)

      Delete
  6. I think what makes enthusiasm hard for me, is that I can have a goal, but if it's comparatively far away in the future, like college, it's difficult to have enthusiasm in preparing for it. Little things that have helped me are putting up visual reminders, like posters or quotes, and trying to connect little everyday things to the bigger goals.

    Thank you for this post :) It helped me focus my thoughts about enthusiasm, and made me realize I need more of it in my life!

    -Mary

    P.S. Thanks also for sharing the pictures! I love getting to see the incredible beauty of your continent!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I know what you mean! Somehow the big goals are harder to keep in mind in everyday actions. I'll have to try those tips you mentioned - thanks!

      I'm glad this could be a help to you in some small way - praise God! And you're welcome. I have to say I enjoy broadcasting the incredible-ness of my country. ;) Thanks for blessing me so regularly with your comments, Mary! xx

      Delete
  7. Oh yes! The third to last hill makes me feel a little nostalgic. <3

    Jessica, all that you experienced while canvassing; it must have been such a rich and precious time being so involved in God's work in such a practical and tangible way! I love hearing you talk about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No place like home, eh? ;) Which part of Australia did you use to live in?

      Oh, I'm glad you don't mind me talking about it. I have a feeling I'm not finished yet, haha. :) It was an amazing time, and I like that word you used: rich. That describes it well. Thanks for reading and commenting, Jordy. It means a lot!

      Delete
    2. Indeed! I lived a few different places in Australia, but of all of them, the one place I would really call "home" is Alice Springs. We lived there the longest and the years we spent there were the most significant to me. So I've come to love "dry hills" as well as that rusty sand and the arid vegetation. What about you? Did you stay in South Australia for the whole of your canvassing trip, or did it take you elsewhere, too?

      And I look forward to reading more about your trip! Not only do I not mind it, but it's truly encouraging to me.

      Delete
    3. Wow, so you've been right through the Red Centre! I'd like to be able to go to Alice Springs one day. :) I like land like that too - not that I've seen a lot of it. No actually, we stayed in Western Australia for most of the canvassing trip - I'm just still posting photos from the drive over. It seems we saw so much!

      Oh, I'm glad! Praise God. :) I have a feeling I will be talking about it for a while.

      Delete
    4. Oh, Western Australia! I've never set foot in the state! I'll be glad to see your photos! X)

      Delete
  8. Those pictures are so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Anne! Praise God for His creation! And thanks for your comment too. :)

      Delete
  9. I think attitude is such a huge proportion of the battle; if we have a positive, optimistic attitude, practically anything is possible. I like to surround myself with people who have a rich enthusiasm for life, as I feel that this then rubs off and you find yourself being more motivated. Loved reading! <3

    Lauren | Sincerely, Lauren Emily

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! It does seem to all come back to attitude. And the company we keep makes a difference too, you're right. That's one aspect of being enthusiastic I haven't given so much thought to - perhaps I should!

      Thanks for reading and commenting! I enjoyed hearing your perspective! :)

      Delete
  10. Hmm...this really got me thinking Jessica. It never occurred to me to pray for enthusiasm either but why not? I need it and I think God is happy to supply it--at least when we direct it toward the correct things.
    This makes me think of Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."
    Thanks for sharing and lovely pictures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that's the perfect verse to go with this! Thanks for sharing! And that's true - the enthusiasm God gives is only for the right things..

      Thanks a lot for commenting, and following, Arnica! :)

      Delete
  11. The hills seem a bit bleak, but they look peaceful. I have never been to South Australia, I want too though. So maybe someday. Good post, it really got me thinking!
    -Gray Marie
    graymariewrites.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a good way to describe them! I'm sure you'd like South Australia if you get to visit! :)

      Thanks, Gray - I appreciate your comment and follow!

      Delete
  12. I've never thought to pray for enthusiasm either, but I think it's about time I start! Also really liked how you broke down the word enthusiasm. I will never think of that word the same way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, we're in the same boat! :) And yes, enthusiasm is even more powerful after knowing those root words..

      I'm glad you got something out of this post, Gloria! Thanks for your thoughtful comment. xx

      Delete
  13. Oooh that landscape is gorgeous!! <3 ALSO THIS POST SPEAKS TO MY SOULLLL. I was actually thinking about this yesterday -- not so much with enthusiasm but with happiness. I've grown up hearing my mom always tell me "happiness is a choice" and that phrase is beginning to click with me in new ways. Like you said, it has nothing to do with your situation, it has everything to do with your attitude. And even just knowing that -- even if I can't feel it yet -- is SO freeing. Happiness is right here, within reach, and all we have to do is shift our perspectives to experience it. <3

    THIS POST IS LOVELY. PREACH PREACH PREACH.
    *hugs you and gives you waffles bc you're awesome*

    lotsalove,
    abbiee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, it' so cool to hear you were thinking along similar lines! And yes, this fits right in with happiness. They seem to be closely related now that I think more of it.. I like how you brought out that even knowing that helps - it's so true. Attitude is powerful.

      Thanks a lot for your words and encouragement and hugs and waffles. :) Sending you some back!

      Delete

When you comment:

1. My day will be brighter, my face smiling, and my heart blessed.

2. I’m likely to immediately go and explore your blog (if you have one) to find out more of your amazingness, and return the blessing.

3. I will then attempt to craft a response to you that will somehow fail to convey how much I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness. I’m grateful for every word of encouragement you give, and don’t be afraid to share some constructive criticism also; there’s always more to learn. In short: thank-you! :)