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Enthusiasm

By Frank Jamerson

The word "enthusiasm" is not found in the Bible, but the idea is taught many places. The wise writer of Ecclesiastes said: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (Eccl. 9:10).

Enthusiasm may be misguided, "zeal without knowledge" (Rom. 10:2), but knowledge without zeal is likewise detrimental.

Enthusiasm is contagious. If a speaker is excited about his lesson - what are you likely to do? (When I was here in school - under the law of Moses - a speaker said, "If you don't put a little fire in your sermon, you may as well put your sermon in the fire." - All cannot be as rambunctious as Dee Bowman, and brother Hailey used to say "it is lightening that kills, not thunder" - but if your aren't excited about what you are doing - guess what!

My first full time preaching was in Richmond, Va. On Monument Ave (at corner of Allen Ave.) stands a monument to Robert E. Lee. (World Book says "He was never known to smoke, drink alcoholic beverages or use profane language.") The story I want to tell happened 20 years after Lee's death - in 1890. On May 7, 1890, school was turned out at noon, so children could take part in a celebration Virginians had looked forward to for 20 years. The 21 ft. equestrian statue of Lee on his horse Traveler, mounted on a 40 ft. granite base was to be delivered to its place of exhibition. It had come from France via New York to Train Station in Richmond. Four boxes were placed on tobacco trucks (wagons) with long ropes attached. Virginians would not hitch horses to it - but thousands of men put their hands to the ropes and pulled the statue 4 miles to its resting place. The ropes were cut into small sections and given to those who helped pull it. When the statue was in place 22 days later, 100,000 people were on hand to see the canvas removed from the remarkable likeness of General Lee and Traveler. For years in Virginia, men would pull a piece of hemp from their pockets and say "I had my hand on the rope, did you?"

That was for a mortal man - but think of the opportunity we have of being children of God (1 Jn. 3:1). If each disciple was zealous, and had his "hand on the rope" working for the Lord's cause - what could we accomplish? If everything we did would be with enthusiasm - the singing, the teaching, the praying, the communing with our Lord - our worship would be meaningful.

Christ purchased us to "a people zealous for good works" (Tit. 2:14). How much easier the job would be - whether in the church, the home, school, or work place - if everyone would put his hand to the rope and pull.