Having Fun Yet?

Chuckle: “Laffing iz the sensation ov pheeling good all over, and showing it principally in one spot.” --Josh Billings

Quote: “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes real happiness. It is not obtained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” --Helen Keller

Jesus said, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness” (John 10:10 NIV).

Having fun is one of the greatest blessings of life, and I believe God created us to be happy, to laugh and have fun. As we think about having fun in this life, let’s begin by defining “fun.” What is fun anyway? Before you go looking in the dictionary, try to define “fun” from your own experiences. I suspect your definition contains words like; play, enjoyment, happiness, laughter, amusement, good times, etc. Now, which of these words describing “fun” does God not want us to have as Christians? I believe “life in all its fullness“ that Jesus promises in our text will be a life filled with fun. If I were to select a synonym for “fun”, it would be rejoicing or happiness.

When we are happy and having fun, we will “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT). Paul was in prison when he penned these encouraging words to the church at Philippi. In other words, he did not allow his adverse circumstances to spoil his inner attitude of happiness, and he wanted the Christians at Philippi to share in his unspeakable joy because of his relationship to his Lord. This line of thinking reminds me of a book we have entitled: “Happiness is a choice.” We can be happy and have fun if we decide to do so. “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NLT).

Each day, without really trying, we can find reasons to be down in the dumps and miserable in our self-pity. But this is not God’s plan for your life. Because of his indescribable love, amazing grace, and limitless mercy, we always have reason to rejoice, be happy, and have fun. Life can be a “hoot” if we retain our sense of humor and determination to be happy. This can happen if you allow God’s Holy Spirit to give you an attitude adjustment. He will give you reason to rejoice and enjoy life even in the most adverse circumstances. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2 NIV).

Finally, no Christian should ever see sinful actions as fun. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15 NIV). “Fun” to a Christian describes those wholesome actions that please God and bring us joy and pleasure. Of course, Satan will try to convince us that sinful behavior is more fun. But we should shun even the very appearance of evil and cling to that which is good and have fun doing it. “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9b NIV). Our greatest joy comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Love, Jerry & Dotse