Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Romans 12:11, 12

Paul summarizes here in this last part of his letter that opens our way to see into the heart of God and of how that relates to our lives right now.

Let me pore over this.  Never lack zeal!  I seldom ever think of zeal.  It does not seem to be like any other command and in our culture is hardly ever used.  Zeal implies putting into practice and making priority our zeal to follow Jesus.  Paul realized how difficult it is to keep that central.

Then Paul reminds us that we serve, not self or any cause, but Jesus.

Then our spirits will be carried along by a power stronger than our own power to be joyful in hope.  I am amazed by how Paul and other writers emphasize joy.  This is not some feeling, but a hope.  It keeps us loving God who gives us patience to trust Him always, no matter what the challenges.

Then to be patient in affliction.  That amazes me but it is true.  We are afflicted.  God reminds us of this again and again, we will be afflicted!  His word to us is to be patient!  That is often hard to do as we are suffering.

To assure all of this, we must be faithful in prayer. When we meet a challenge – the door to prayer is open wide and welcoming – let us simply go in as we know we should if we are to find rest.