Day 18: Enjoying Life

As Christians, one thing we rarely talk about is enjoying life, and having fun. In our twenties, this is the time we enjoy life, and create relationships, go on adventures, go out with friends, etc.. Now is the time to live life to fullest because we will not be this age forever. The world sees christians as boring, cookie cutter people. A lot of people think Christians don’t have fun, the think all we do is obey rules, and go to church. That’s not the case at all, we live a certain lifestyle, and it’s not about what we can’t do but more about the freedom of what we can do. As young Christians it is hard to find a balance when it comes to fun, and faith. We are constantly trying to figure out what is okay and what is not. When we go through this, we find ourselves torn between fun and Christ, when they don’t have to be and should not be separate. It all depends on how we define fun, what is a good time to us? We have to enjoy the life God has given us. He wants us to enjoy it.   

I went through a time in my life where I did not go out at all because I felt like everything was a sin (that had a lot to do with the church I went to at the time). I used to think that being a Christian meant I had to give up my social life, I could not hang out with friends, I could not go to parties, I just isolated myself because I felt that was what God wanted. But I was so wrong, God gave us life, freedom, a sense of humor, and He wants us to enjoy our lives. We do not have to restrict ourselves off from the world because we are afraid of falling into sin or being around “sinners”. As long as we are grounded and rooted in Christ we cannot fall.

-Dyamond

Ecclesiastes 11:9 (MSG)

You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, 12-13

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth: . . A right time to cry and another to laugh, A right time to lament and another to cheer,. . . I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift.

• This is a scripture I grew up being taught by my mother, she always told us that there is a time and place for everything. There is a time and place to laugh, dance, have fun, and there is a time a place to be serious, and mourn, and cry, as the scripture says. But when we become Christians I feel like we start to walk on eggshells when it comes to enjoying ourselves, we forget how to have fun when we become Christians. We tend the  neglect the part of our life that gives us enjoyment.
• It is a gift from God, He gave us this life, to make the most of it. Life would suck without laughter. I cannot imagine being serious all the time. God gave us a sense of humor, he gave us all different personalities, He gave some of us to the gift to entertain, and be funny. We can enjoy all the gifts of the world without feeling like we are sinning.  

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?

• It is okay to have fun, it is more than okay it is encouraged. But be wise, think before acting. Fun does not equal sin, it does not have to. We should not have to disconnect ourselves from God in order to enjoy life, how can we enjoy life apart from Him. This life is a gift from God.  

Solomon, the author of the book of Ecclesiastes, is known to be one of the wisest men who ever lived. He wrote this book and he is telling us that it is okay to go out and have a good time. Enjoy life while we have it, I promise you, you will not get struck by lightning if you go out with your friends and have a good fun night.

If you haven’t already picked it up; The main point I want to make here is, ENJOY YOUR LIFE!!!

Another subject that comes up a lot is, what is fun? How do you have fun without sinning? How do Christians define fun? Is it okay to have a drink? Can I go to a bar, or a club? Can I go to a party. First off let me tell you that sin is not a requirement for fun. If having fun to you is having sex with different people, getting drunk or high, indulging in criminal activity, etc, if you need that to have a good time than you have to reevaluate your idea of what fun is. Also in response to those questions, i’d like to point you to three different scriptures.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 13:1

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God

Ecclesiastes 9:7

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.

• There is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink, if you are of age. Drunkenness is the sin.
• Ephesians 5:18, Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

I’m pretty sure the people at that wedding reception were having a great time, before and after Jesus turned water into wine.

There were actually some pretty awesome parties in the bible.

In conclusion, the message I want to get out to you is that it is okay to have fun and enjoy your life. However, the way we define fun will determine whether or not it is something we should or should not be involved in.

Reflection

1. What is your definition of fun?
2. How do you enjoy yourself?
3. Have you been neglecting to enjoy your life because of your faith?

Prayer Time

Talk to God about life, and what it means to enjoy the life that He has given you. Keep it simple, and remember that prayer is just a conversation with God.