Are We Having Fun Yet?

Dancing with Destiny: Quotes from Dreamers: “Facing the Dream Killers”

We Are Afraid to Have Fun

Let's face it: "Religion" isn't fun. Legalism shuts down the human heart and closes off intimacy with God.

Imagine a relationship in which there was no room for fun. How excited would you be to spend all of your time with this person? Imagine having a list of “rules” for what you can and cannot do or talk about each time you met together – no room for spontaneity – just pre-approved topics and predictable activities. Imagine conversations where you can only communicate by reading pre-written responses – as if following a script written by someone else. How would you get to know this person? How would they get to know you? Relationship would be SO LIMITED. (and BORING!!)

Isn’t that what “religion” has ended up doing? With good intentions, prayers were written out to be a guide for how to talk to God, but when it became the only way to pray, we have a problem. Intimacy is lost and we are just following the script laid out for us. True intimacy can only be developed by spending time together and sharing personally. Truly, our hearts will eventually shut down and stop seeking intimacy in this type of relationship after unmet expectations and unexpressed longings become unbearable. Why bother? With no intimacy, it will become an empty shell.

He is eager to interact with us. He came to establish deep relationships. Walking with Him is a journey of excitement, which involves having fun!

Jesus didn’t come to remain separated from us. It may sound like an old clique, but He really does want a personal relationship with us – connected to us and all we do. He wants us to share ALL of our hopes and dreams with Him. He wants us to express ourselves and have FUN!! We have been created to be unique and it pleases Him when we are truly expressing and being ourselves.

As children, we knew how to just have fun. Little ones are not limited by what must be or how something is supposed to look; they just express it from their hearts. “Fashion rules” are eventually learned (sometimes for good reason!!) as we learn what is acceptable, but look at what we miss when we don't step outside the box of the ordinary. In this photo, they are definitely having fun!! It brought a smile to my face. :o) BUT would you do this – just for fun?? Have you ever done something just for the sheer fun of it? Laughter is good for the soul. A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (Amplified Bible)

We are the ones who stop the game. "Time-out!" we yell. The "religious system" sometimes gives the message that rest and relaxation are unspiritual and unnecessary. We prefer not to play because it does not look spiritual.

Have you been allowed to express your creativity? Are you encouraged to pursue your dreams? Or does your every activity have to accomplish an ultimate purpose, or achieve some valid goal? What does R&R really mean to you? Did Jesus take time to “rest” and just enjoy the company of His friends? Did they have fun together? Laugh together?

In a society where success is valued so highly, is there room for fun? Is it possible to have fun with God??? Is this an unrealistic expectation - just out of our reach?

Every journey has ups and downs. There will be times of difficulty and suffering as well as times of joy and celebra­tion. We expect seasons of pain in the Christian walk, but we need to expect times of pleasure and passion, as well. It is not an either/or situation. We embrace the journey and celebrate life.

LIFE must have all of these elements. Real Life – living in reality. Jesus said, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10b (Amplified Bible) We are supposed to experience AND express all aspects of life – to the full – that includes having FUN!!

Selah Y