Have More Fun

I find many people to be too serious, too cautious, too controlling and too boring. Those who ought to be joyous and carefree seem to be the worst of all. When born again Christians are portrayed on television or in the movies, they are usually grouchy and hateful. Where did the writers get this image? Is this fair? Obviously, the characterization is unfair. Yet, there is truth in the portrayal.

Those whose sins are forgiven and whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life in heaven should be the most joyful, happy people on earth. My message to Christians is, “It is time to have more fun.” Psalm 126:1-3 reads, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”

There is a healing benefit with laughter. Laughter helps a person to build a stronger immune system. It reduces stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and adrenaline. It increases health enhancing endorphins and antibodies. Laughter reduces pain in the body and is a natural anti-depressant. There is a physical and emotional release when a person laughs. A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm and heart. Laughter assists one in refocusing attention away from anger, guilt, stress and depression. Laughter is contagious. People desire to associate with those who laugh freely and often.

A warped theology concerning pleasure has damaged the ability of many church members from being able to enjoy life fully. It is ungodly to pursue sensual desires for food, sex, materialism, fame, money and status in an unbiblical manner. We often hear about guilty pleasures? Yet, there is a godly fulfillment of all of these desires. Sex, for example, was God’s idea. There is a godly fulfillment of this primal desire. Jesus taught that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. I feel sorry for our neighbors. Most people do not love themselves very well. There are over 350 references to joy and rejoicing found in Bible. Your joy matters to God.

There should be a balance of work, rest, worship and play in every person’s life. Balance suggests equal portions. A proper mixture of these four ingredients is what I am suggesting. Everyone needs meaningful work to do. Many do get enough sleep and down time. Corporate, private and family worship time refreshes a person. Many adults overlook the importance of play. Most of us need to have more fun. A missing or insufficient part of life is often the fun part. We all need to find fun activities and fun friends with which to spend our time.

Most issues of life can be categorized as small stuff. As they say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Selfish rituals can alleviate stress. A quiet cup of coffee and a good book can do wonders for the psyche. I like to take bike rides on gravel roads or on trails found in state parks and conservation areas. Others may enjoy working crossword puzzles. 1 Timothy 4:16 reads, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” Change is an unstoppable force of life. Many resist change and are stressed by the thought of change. Learning to embrace and welcome change turns stress into invigoration.

My final advice is to slow down and take more breaks. Slim down schedules, meals, commitments and goals. Sit down and live in the present. Too many spend useless time grieving and begrudging the past. Many are living for a better day to come in the future. Living in the past or in the future robs one of the pleasures of the present. We all need to look around and enjoy the beauty of nature and the beauty of other people, especially our family and friends. It is time to have more fun.