“The Pitfalls of Being a Zealot” by The Rev. Kaji Douša
Throughout the scriptures, we see people who have enthusiasm for God, and in some cases, they may even be described as “zealots.” And I wanted to explore with us what it means to have zeal for the Lord, and how that can be of benefit to God and God’s purposes. When we have zeal for the Lord, we have such enthusiasm, and we want to present that enthusiasm to others so that they can encounter the love and the power of God in their lives. That is good zeal. Now if that zeal, though, pivots, which often can happen with ego, as we determine that we are right, or others are completely wrong because they disagree with us, then that zeal can turn into bullying and oppression. How can we take our enthusiasm for all God has done for us, and allow that to help someone to feel that sense of gratitude and love as well? That is the kind of zeal for the Lord that I believe Christians are called to. But if your zeal causes someone pain, then that’s not of God. Amen