A Case in Missing the Point
I just got back from the Costco by Silver Lake. It’s our day to bring snacks for my younger boys baseball game, so I needed to make a Famous Amos Cookies and Caprisun run. Miraculously, I made it out of the store with only those two things in tow. At the cash register, an older lady was checking and a younger guy was boxing things. He commented on the sacred beauty of a Famous Amos cookie and I let him know about the ball game that they were being purchased for. The lady ringing me up made the statement, “When my kids were playing sports, we weren’t allowed to bring fun stuff, we could only bring fruit.” I told her that was too bad and she then makes the statement that I still can’t wrap my mind around…”Well, it was Christian.”
Huh?
The only reply that came out of my mouth at the moment this hit me was, “Aren’t Christians allowed to have fun?” I’m still bugged by this idea that Christians lead the league in B-O-R-I-N-G. Didn’t Jesus say He came to give us life to the FULL and somehow we have translated that to “no fun stuff”.
Just thought I’d share a moment in my day with you.
May 24th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Hmmmm, that stinks. Unfortunately, the church/Christians have focused so much on what we “can’t” do, we have lost many people because we don’t tell them what we can do. Which is exactly what you said… live life to the “FULL”.
How, When, What can we do to change that?
May 24th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Greeting in Jesus’ name and Blessings to all.
Sad, but not without understanding, is the fact that people can and do misunderstand the word Christianity and its application. Is it unwarranted? Most assuredly not, look at the world today! So many proclaim to be Christians and live a life of great contrast. Christianity speaks louder by action than by words and genuine Christianity can only be found through personal relationship with Jesus and not preconceived ideas told by others no matter who they are, friend or family.
As profit of genuine markings in being a Christian the fruit of the spirit is upon you. Inclusive in this bowl of fruit is joy and peace and even love and faith. These are freely given by grace through faith (applied through the Holy Spirit), but can only be adhered through a heart driven with the right motive, love.
Jesus was a party man as we read in many passages that He enjoyed and was among others at many social gatherings. Look to the last gathering, as it will be at the wedding feast of believers and Jesus. And, as stated, Jesus came to give life to the fullest which comes from response to believing and not doing, as in keeping no longer, the letter of the law, as it cannot be done and results in death. Jesus came to give life and to the fullest!
It also is the perspective, or the angle of which something is looked at that dictates “fun”. I would much rather eat fruit than cookies as I really enjoy fruit. Bonus is, it is also better for the body than processed foods. But of course this is not the point. Attitude is, and can be said, to come from the heart.
As a servant of God, fun takes on a new perspective and meaning. And with this attitude it is possible to find fun in very remote ways. It is not what one can or cannot do, as all is possible through Jesus, but the heart that motivates is truly the focal point. And taking this joy, peace, and love to those in the world who are in so much need of it, now that’s FUN!
God bless us all and through the Holy Spirit may we as Christians speak loudly of God’s love to the world.