It’s music to hear someone ask with enthusiasm, “What do you want me to do? Just ask? Anything?” This year, one of our volunteers said to me, “Pastor, I’ll do anything to help, all you have to do is ask!” Wow! Those words were encouraging to me. In the months that have followed, their word has been their bond.

What’s even cooler, is when you have a teenager, ask, with enthusiasm, “What do you want me to do?” Yeah, I know, as parents we may not hear it often but we remember when we do! Right.

After John’s message the crowds, asked John, “What should we do?” I remember those moments well when after preaching or a face to face moment, someone asks that question with enthusiasm. The little boy inside of me jumps up and down with joy. What must have John experienced to have witnessed the Holy Spirit penetrate the hearts of his hearers with the truth of God’s message.

There are times when people say to me, “Pastor, you read my mail.” Or, “Wow, were you following me this week?” We laugh, but faithfully, I point out to them that the Holy Spirit spoke to them through the message, what they needed to hear. To hear them reply with enthusiasm, “What should I do?” is a marvel to me. God is so very present, if we listen.

When we listen and obey, His Spirit helps us and strengthen us to do what he has called us to do, just like He did John. His word becomes a joy, it becomes our strength, it is as Jesus said like nourishment to us do God’s will. Enthusiasm.

When, it comes to faith, some people are afraid of that word enthusiasm. It is derived from “En Theos.” A German mystic put it this way, “intoxicated with God.” When God’s grace comes into our lives and saves us from our sin, we don’t have to be afraid of our emotions or that we will become weird.

Enthusiastic or Passionate followers of Christ aren’t people who do goofy things. They love and provide for their families, lost people matter to them, they feed the hungry, forgive those who offend them, restore the foundations of past generations, rebuild broken walls of trust and communication, restore the streets where people live, share their faith, minister to the sick, the widow, the orphan and experience much more of God than they dreamed.

Enthusiastic or Passionate followers of Christ become like Jesus!

So what should I do? Well for me its a process like this. When I sit down and get quiet with my copy of the Bible, I worship and confess my sins and ask, “Father what do you want to say to me?”

In other words, I get ready to meet with God and ask, “What do you want me to do?”

When, I’m not preaching, “I engage in the singing and agree with the prayers, and ask God to break anything in me that needs breaking and speak to me through the pastor.” Thanksgiving weekend, the director of Georgia Youth Ministries, was the guest speaker at my parents home church. I was grieving my Dad’s death, needing to hear God’s Word. That young man’s words were like a soothing warm oil in my emotions and spirit. One statement resonated in my soul. “We succeed because we believe God makes and keeps promises.” Yes, my Dad believed and is with the Lord and someday! Hallelujah!

So, what does God want you to do?

Peace!