A Life to Enjoy

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (I Timothy 6:17 NIV)

One fear people often have of following Jesus is that life will end as they know it.  No more fun.  No more laughter.  Life, they imagine, will be so dull and boring.  This view, I think, flows from a belief that God does not want us to have fun and enjoy life.  In its extreme, this conjures up images of God on His throne peering down from heaven on the lookout for anyone enjoying themselves and zapping them when He finds them.  According to this view, a life devoted to God is sure to be a miserably dour experience.  

Now there are those who call themselves Christians who view God this way and are willing to submit to what they think He calls them to, and perhaps this is from where many get this skewed and inaccurate view of the Lord.  Yet, this brief statement by Paul paints an entirely different picture of God.  He says the Lord, rather than wanting us to have no pleasure in life, instead “provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Really?!  Now there is something to shout from the mountaintops—God wants us to enjoy ourselves!  Everything He created is for our enjoyment.

But Paul throws out this caveat: True enjoyment comes from first putting our hope in God.  He did create all things for our enjoyment, but the things He created are not to become a substitute for Him.  And therein lies the proverbial rub—many people seek enjoyment, pleasure, or entertainment as their god.  They worship the created instead of the Creator.  

God truly intended us to enjoy life, but He specifically created us to enjoy it through Him, not apart from Him.  Today, know if you are seeking to follow the Lord, life is yours to enjoy.  

© Jim Musser 2016