Zeal is having a sense of enthusiasm, intensity, or vigor about something. Many people who have a yearning to do something will rarely accomplish it if they do not have the zeal to do it. It is very important for everyone to set goals. A goal is simply something you would like to accomplish. People with little self confidence are many times afraid to set goals, because they have no hope of ever reaching the goal.
A person with zeal is going to be motivated and believe that their goal is attainable. This person will also be one who has hope. Hope is believing that which is not yet seen will eventually be. If we have self confidence we will still be motivated to work toward our goals even if we don’t have the support of others.
It always helps however, when we are working to reach a goal that we have the support and encouragement from others. If others were discouraging and telling us we do not have the ability, or we should just give up, that is like throwing water on a spark of hope. When we are supportive of each other, offer kind words that is like helping to ignite a spark to becoming a blaze.
We all have been created with the potential to do great things. If we are blessed to be in an environment that is encouraging then we will be more likely to reach our fullest potential. Yet those in a non-supportive and demeaning environment may never feel they are given a chance or encouragement to develop the enthusiasm to accomplish their goals.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, and mentors are probably the ones who have the most opportunity to offer encouragement to children to develop their skills, talents, and special gifts. Anytime we see or know of someone who looks discouraged it just may be our encouragement and speaking something positive to them that will give them the zeal to fulfill their potential.
It has now been over 20 years ago when I started this journey of writing to encourage others. I had been a columnist for Wayne County’s hometown newspaper, The Outlook since January 1999. Because I had never been a columnist before I was afraid that I wouldn’t know what to write about at times, so I started the series “Articles of the Alphabet.” My goal was to write a column based on each letter such as Addictions, Bitterness, Crisis…X Marks the Spot, Yearning, and Zeal. I never thought that after starting my blog to re-write these articles a year ago that this year The Outlook would go all digital and as of now the digital version does not include the opinion columns.
Twenty years ago I was thankful for having the opportunity to write for the newspaper and now I am thankful for the ability to now have a blog. Whether it is only read by a few or by many my goal either way is to offer some encouragement and rays of hope to those who need it.
“Our love must be sincere and we must cling to what is good. We must be devoted to one another and honor each other above ourselves. We should never be lacking in zeal, but keep our spiritual enthusiasm serving the Lord.” Romans 12:9-11
Originally written December 29, 1999.
TRS
*** Stay tuned for my next series called, “Stories of Fiction”
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Rays of Hope 