GIVE IT YOUR ALL

Monday, December 26, 2011

                                                                  

In the New testament, the apostle Paul encouraged his young coworker Timothy to "fan the flame and stir up the gift that is within you" (2 Timothy 1:6). Paul was reminding his understudy to live with enthusiasm. Give it your all.Don't settle for mediocrity. Stir yourself up; rekindle that fire.

You may have to live or work around people who are prone to being negative, who tend to drag you down. But don't let their lack of enthusiasm squelch your passion. If you live with a deadbeat spouse, make a decision that you're going to be happy and enthusiastic anyway. If your parents are always negative, try to overcome that negativity by being positive, encouraging, and uplifting. Fan your flame more than usual to make sure the fire doesn't go out.

(From Joel Osteen's devotional Your Best Life Begins Each Morning--Devotions to Start Every Day of the Year)