How should we take Paul's command, "Never be lacking in zeal, keep your spritual fervor" (Romans 12:11)? Some churches tend to do worship at one speed: high energy, hand raising, and dancing. It's easy to conclude, that if you don't feel it, there must be something wrong with you. I don't think this is what Paul had in mind. It's a call against apathy, and this request seems legit. God is alive, and as a result of him living in me, I should expect to see life as well. I don't think this has to only be at one speed though. God can be just as much alive in contemplative, reflective, or even somber times. What's important is that love for God and others is beating at the forefront.
I have certainly experienced times where my fervor seems tamed. "God, what happened? Why am I not feeling this? What do I need to do?" Paul connects these commands with "serving the Lord". This advice I give myself and recommend to others as well when we are not feeling alive. Are we serving? My experience has been that obeying God, actually makes experiencing God more tangible, and as a result, me being more alive.
So, are you keeping your spiritual fervor up? If so, how? If not, are you serving?
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