How Important is Fun?

I love this picture from when our family went to Disneyland a few years ago. We had so much fun. You wouldn’t know it from the look on my grandson’s face on the front row!

Back when I was a UPS driver, I would often ask my customers, “What do you think is the meaning of life?” I will never forget one young man’s answer. “It’s to have as much fun as I can get away with!”

I love honesty.

Isn’t fun what most of the world is living for? I’m a big fan of fun. Last week Marci and I and friends visited Niagara Falls, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Playing catch with my grandsons is a highlight of my summer days. Fun needs to be a big part of life.

But did God really put us here on earth primarily to have fun? Jesus didn’t say, “I came that they may have fun, and have it more abundantly.” He said He came that we might have life more abundantly. There is a difference.

I believe the greatest joy in life doesn’t come from having fun, but from having Christ. It’s in knowing the One who gave me this life to begin with. It’s knowing I’m forgiven and I’m going to spend eternity with Him because He loves me. Real life is having power over my selfish impulses and peace of mind knowing I’m right with God. People who seek first, having fun, are missing out on something so much better… the kingdom of God.

I have to be honest though. The entrance into this amazing life isn’t fun. It’s a painful death. It’s saying goodbye to the old life and hello to the new. It’s letting go of my pride each day, recognizing that I don’t have a problem. I AM the problem. No amount of fun will ever fix me. I need to die and be buried through baptism before I can rise to this new way of living, where Christ is in control.

Fun is important. God wants us to enjoy this life. If we live just for fun, we will miss the meaning of life. If we live to please Jesus, we will discover the indescribable joy of the Lord… and have some fun along the way!