What's Wrong With Fun?

What's Wrong With Fun?

February 1, 2010

By Hal Donaldson

Our happiness is more important to God than we might realize. He created
pleasure because He enjoys watching us laugh and smile. He also created fun
to counterbalance life's pain and disappointments.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time
to mourn and a time to dance" (NIV).

God expects us to work, but He also expects us to play. We don�t need to
feel guilty for taking a vacation or visiting the lake on a Saturday
afternoon.

What brings you pleasure and rest?

*Reading a good book?
* Playing board games with your family and friends?
* Working around the house?
* Participating in a church activity?
* Attending a sports event?
* Going shopping?
* Playing music?
* Having dinner with friends?

Our challenge is to discover God-honoring forms of relaxation and
entertainment in a world of excesses. Too much of some things... television,
shopping, eating, for example ... can erode our spiritual health. Jeremiah
6:16 encourages us to ask God to guide our choices: "Stand at the crossroads
and look .. ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest
for your souls."

Fun ... though important ... is not a substitute for prayer, Bible reading and
church participation. In fact, when we have intimacy with God our times of
relaxation become even more enjoyable because we know we are bringing a
smile to God's face too.

Hal Donaldson served as editor of the Pentecostal Evangel for 13 years,
and leads Convoy of Hope in Springfield, Mo.
http://www.pe.ag.org.