"Oorah"

I had a friend who served in the Marines text me this morning to tell me that today marks the 247 birthday of our United States Marine Corps. If you watch television shows or movies about the military you probably have heard the word “Oorah” which is a battle cry common in the Marine Corps since the mid-20th century. “Oorah” is comparable to “hooah” the US Army’s version of the same word and “hooyah” which the US Navy and US Coast Guard use. Those words are commonly used to respond to a verbal greeting or as an expression of enthusiasm.

Speaking of enthusiasm, are you aware that the word enthusiasm itself comes from two Greek words, “en” which is where we get our English word “in” and “theos” where we get our English word “theology” which by definition means, “the study of God”. Put them together and you see that the true definition for “enthusiasm” means “in God” or “in the study of God” or as some say, “in the pursuit” of God. The most enthusiastic people I have ever met all have shared one major characteristic in common, they all have devoted their lives to being “in Him” and Him being Jesus Christ.

I’ve found that the people who are the most enthusiastic about life are the ones who understand it best. They know there is a God, and that everything was created by Him and for Him. Consistently enthusiastic people take the words of Qohelet and what the book of Ecclesiastes teaches to heart daily, that life is short this side of heaven so the best way we can enjoy it is don’t waste it. Enjoy our friends, our family, good food and sunshine filled days as the teacher exhorts us, recognizing them as they are, all gifts from God, here today and gone tomorrow.

The book of Ecclesiastes ends with a great reminder for anyone who truly desires to live life to the fullest and with enthusiasm, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). It’s true. The happiest people, the most satisfied people, the most enthusiastic people walking the earth today are the ones whose lives are being lived “in God” just as Psalm 144:15 reminds us, “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!”


I LOVE YOU!