‘Z’ is for ‘zeal’
Nearly every year I was in elementary school, we were tasked with composing an acrostic based on our first name. This involved writing our name vertically down the page, and then using each letter as the beginning of a word that we felt described us.
In my case – “Elizabeth” – the “z” always posed an interesting challenge, especially given my determination to avoid reusing words from year to year. “Zany” made an appearance, the only “z” word I could think of in that moment. One year I chose “zoologist” to reflect my love of animals. Another time, the idea “‘Z’ is for ‘zeal’!” came to mind. (That year we were required to use adjectives, so I went with “zealous,” reasoning that there were, after all, things I was enthusiastic about.)
In the years since, I’ve come to really appreciate the concept of zeal. Not the fanatic, zealot sense of it, but the kind of zeal that is pure and invigorating and that blesses us and those around us.
The Bible talks about being “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14), or as the J.B. Phillips New Testament puts it, having “our hearts set upon living a life that is good.” It’s a theme that Mary Baker Eddy, a follower of Jesus and the discoverer of Christian Science, echoes in her writings, referring to “honest, wise zeal,” for example (“The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany,” p. 259).
In fact, “zeal” is included in the Glossary of Mrs. Eddy’s primary work, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” which includes spiritual definitions of biblical terms. Its two-part definition of “zeal” offers a clear distinction between an inspired, beneficial zeal and untempered fervor. The first part is “The reflected animation of Life, Truth, and Love.” The second is the counterfeit of that uplifted sense: “Blind enthusiasm; mortal will” (p. 599).
That first definition packs a lot of punch. “Life,” “Truth,” and “Love” are capitalized because they’re being used as synonyms for God. So true zeal is a quality of God. It’s incorruptible and doesn’t include zealotry or fanaticism, because God is All and infinitely good; all that He imparts is uplifting, unadulterated, loving, and all-blessing.
What’s more, we can all identify with and nurture this kind of zeal – whether or not we have a “z” in our name. Our real nature is not defined by mortal attributes at all. It’s defined by God, who created us as the expression of His own nature – the reflection of divine Spirit, Life, Truth, Love. The vivacity of divine Life, the integrity of divine Truth, and the tenderness and grace of divine Love are inextricably part of our identity.
An honest desire to live these ideas with all our heart empowers us to make a real difference for good, whether in small ways or large. This happens not through willfulness, “blind enthusiasm,” or pushiness, but through humble yielding to Christ, the divine message that opens our eyes to the spiritual reality of what God is and, therefore, what we are.
When we let Christ animate our thoughts and actions, we’re expressing zeal. The outcome is that we’re more alert to unhelpful modes of thought that would impede progress and healing – the mortal counterfeits of genuine zeal – and more equipped to neutralize them, letting pure qualities sourced in divine Life, Truth, and Love shine through us. Then harmony and productivity begin to more consistently characterize our interactions and endeavors.
It’s not always easy, especially when we feel passionate about something. I’ve certainly been there. But I’ve also found that when my motivation, first and foremost, is to actively reflect Life, Truth, and Love – rather than crusade for a personal agenda, however well-intentioned – the outcome always blesses, even if in different ways from what I’d initially envisioned.
Day by day, moment by moment, each of us can nurture a humble, wholehearted, dynamic yearning to live our true nature as the reflection of God, good – and to support others in this, too. That’s the zeal that uplifts, inspires, and even heals.
