Life Through the Lens: A little enthusiasm goes a long way

This post is the author’s personal opinion.

With excitement and enthusiasm, the owner of the garden exclaimed, as she pointed to what to me looked like a rather nondescript shrub, “this is a pepino!”

“It’s a wonderful fruit.

“It has a taste sort of like a honeydew, rockmelon, cucumber.

“It is one of my favourite fruits.

“But don't eat the leaves – you might die.”

My mind went, “okay…”

While trying to decide if I had ever heard of a pepino, the owner, now almost beside herself with enthusiasm, was cutting pieces of plant for everyone in the tourist group.

With the assurance, “It is very easy to grow from cuttings; you must take some and grow them and enjoy the fruits”, the cuttings were handed over.

This lady, with all her enthusiasm, was right.

Pepino cuttings do grow without much effort.

Already we are the proud owners of one baby pepino fruit, with more on the way.

It is so great to see enthusiasm in action.

It is often infectious.

If good news is shared and celebrated with joy, it spreads and impacts the lives of those who come to join in the uplifting experiences and consequences.

For thousands of years, the good news of God’s love for all people has been going around the world and impacting lives, whole communities, and even countries.

Yet in these latter years, that good news of God’s love, shown through the death and coming alive again of his son, Jesus, appears to have less of an impact on lives.

Why?

Could it be that those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus – Christians – no longer show enthusiasm about the love of God?

Have we been lulled into thinking that clever answers and explanations to life problems are more able to bring joy and understanding than the words of a God of love – a God who, through his never-ending love and wisdom, has only ever said, “All I ever do is for your good” (Romans 8:28)?

Does my life show the joy, the excitement, of knowing the love of a God who only ever wants what is best for me and all people?

Will my life excite others to give things a go?

Everyone in the group took a pepino cutting home to grow, such was the gardener’s enthusiasm.

Talk to God about growing him, and helping your enthusiasm and excitement grow.

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