The Spiritual Discipline of Having Fun
What does it look like to have fun in your walk with God?
By Clay Wyatt, Student Pastor, M.Div.
In the movie, Yes Man, Jim Carrey plays the part of Carl Allen who has fallen into a rut of negativity. His friends constantly invite him to be a part of things, but Allen makes up excuses to decline their invitations.
He’s clinging to his own loneliness and boredom until he is challenged in a self-help seminar to say “yes” to every invitation. Out of character, Allen accepts the invitation and finds himself on a whirlwind adventure. He experiences the fun that is awaiting him and it revolutionizes his life. In this movie,
Hollywood gives us a picture of something that the Lord has embedded into the fabric of life—the desire for fun and adventure!
There has been a shift in Christian culture over the years to embrace a faith that takes on a more serious tone. The divisiveness of our society has pervaded parts of the Church to the point where we have forgotten the art of fun. What if I told you today that God delights when you have fun?
Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is a season for everything: a time to weep and a time laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. If you are in a hard season, then don’t sweep your emotions under the rug. The Lord calls us to work through them.
However, regardless of your circumstances, the joy of the Lord is available to all believers! Through that joy, we find that fun is eventually waiting on the other side.
Bob Goff is a lawyer, author and speaker based in California. His first book, Love Does, chronicles his life stories. The theme of his book is “dream big and have fun!” He tells a story of how wooed his wife, Maria. He would go to the parking garage of her workplace and place a PB & J on her windshield! Now, that may be a little nutty (hopefully not he peanut butter though).
Eventually, she gave him the time of day because she thought, “Who does this?”, and they were able to kindle a beautiful romance. To my single guys, this tactic probably doesn’t hold a 100% success rate, but it may be worth a try!
In his book, Bob shows us that that we can live life on purpose and have loads of fun at the same time.
So how do we get into a position where we get into a position where we can live life with joy and fun?
1) It starts with our relationship with Christ.
When we allow the anxieties and stresses of life to dominate our minds, it causes us to operate out of a deficit. Our words become sharper and our patience wears thin with people. We may become obsessed with accomplishing tasks all the while we neglect the people God has put into our lives. When we press into Jesus, we find the promise of Matthew 11:28-30 to be true.
His yoke is easy to bear, and his burden is light. The rest our hearts so desperately long for is found in him. When we surrender to Jesus, we find that his life gives our life more buoyancy.
2) Fun is best accomplished in the company of others.
We can enjoy a walk, a movie, or a meal alone. Sometimes we need solace. However, deep down, we know that these joys are half-measured if they aren’t shared with another. Memories are best made through companionship.
The tendency of those who have been hurt by others is to create a hard exterior and the persona that we don’t need others. However, that narrative goes against the way we were created. Think about the beauty and humor that others can bring to our lives—it’s unmatched!
3) Do the things that you like to do along with trying new things.
Okay, maybe you’re not about to jump out of a plane or go rafting on class 5 rapids, but could your desire for comfort be keeping you from newfound pleasures? Perhaps the idea of raw fish has kept your from trying sushi, but let me just tell you, it’s heavenly sent!
God’s creation is jam-packed with enjoyments. Let’s not let it pass us by because we’re too caught up in things that shouldn’t have so much of our attention.
When thinking about Jesus…
our attention can immediately be drawn to his acts. We think about his healings, his crucifixion, or his resurrection (all incredible things I might add!). However, often we forget the personhood of Jesus. It would not be a stretch to say that Jesus was funny.
Would the disciples give their loyalty and three years of their lives to a man who had no personality?
I can only imagine the campfire laughs that were had. My redemptive imagination goes to Jesus picking on the disciples for thinking that he was a haunting ghost while he was walking upon the water.
At the end of the day, the lost world needs to see a joy-filled, fun-seeking covenant of believers pursuing the gospel mission. That is what’s attractive to outsiders.
So may I ask, how’s your fun been lately?
Clay Wyatt, M. Div. is a Student Pastor for Dayspring Baptist Church in Alabama. He and his wife Bailey, dog Winston and two cats Willow and Jasmine reside in Mobile and are a part of the Business and Professional Outreach, Intl. team as workshop leaders, and speakers.
For more on this topic, click here to visit our Youtube Channel and subscribe to our Newsletter to get our newest blog and workshop schedule at the bottom of the page.
Click below to SHARE with a friend: