The Big Diehl

Crescendo is the musical term that means to get louder. Decresendo is the opposite — it means to back down and get quieter.

I hear people talk about how the spiritual encounter at a church camp will fade away. I’ve even been told of “youthful zeal,” and that one day it will also fade.

That’s pretty stupid if you think about it. If you want to say that I have “youthful zeal” I hope you’ll be saying that until I die. What’s “youthful” about it? — that only implies that it will fade with age. My Grandpa had youthful zeal for Christ - he drove around town with big signs on his car that read, “JESUS SAVES.” I’m serious. That youthful zeal continued his whole life until the day he died and he left an amazing legacy. One year ago this very day, I met an old preacher who had tears come to his eyes every time he thought about the faithfulness of God and who was leading people to Christ in the nursing home. That’s youthful zeal in an 80 year old with Parkinson’s. 

Youthful zeal my butt.

Youthful zeal should just be “zeal.” It’s always supposed to be there.

Zeal was never intended to fade (I’m not just talking about “youthful” zeal, either). Zeal for Christ is supposed to last our lifetime. In fact, we’re instructed to do so in Romans 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Our spiritual life will be filled with all sorts of ups and downs - there are no plateaus. Ultimately, God has called us to live a spiritual life that is one big gigantic crescendo. Let’s keep living louder.