Laughing Jesus

Over the past couple of days (while taking a rest from blogging) I have been reflecting on fun. I have been having a lot of fun with family and friends over Christmas and it has caused me to think about how following Jesus is meant to be fun. I am going to write that again, in bold letters, so that we don't miss it.

Following Jesus is meant to be fun.

Jesus is not a fun hater. He didn't come as a wet towel to damp out fun. Jesus wants us to have fun and following Jesus should be full of fun. Too often, we Christians make following Jesus seem like a bummer, a downer, a list of don't dos, and a "funless" (I may have made this word up) way of life.

I have to admit that there was a time in my ministry that a good friend came to me and told me "I had lost my funny." Sadly, she was right. I had started taking myself too seriously. I had started focusing on "ministry" more than following Jesus. I don't like to say it, but she was right, I had lost sight of the joy and fun of following Jesus. This is not the way God intends our life in Christ to be.

Following Jesus is fun, it is an adventure, and it is full of excitement. Jesus wants to be a vital and important part of our whole lives. This includes fun, recreation (re-creation), laughter and joy. Jesus is the author and creator of this stuff. We can and should have fun following Jesus. Church can and should be fun. As followers of Jesus we need to live lives that reflect to others the Jesus that we follow.

The picture that I posted with this blog is one of my favorite pictures of Jesus. It is called laughing Jesus. I love this picture because it illustrates Jesus having fun and laughing exuberantly. I want my life to express Jesus in this way. A life that reflects the fun and exuberant laughter of following Jesus.

Love today. Have fun today.

In Christ's love and mine,
Doug

Comments

Tammyb said…
I totally agree - I think some have a view that we always have to be serious and serene and that makes us look really borrrrring!
Renea Lynch said…
Some see the flip side of the coin. When we enjoy life, and laugh often people don't think we are serious enough. Recently someone looked at me like I was crazy at church because I was laughing hysterically at something someone said/did. Take heart those who stare me down.... I don't mind. Maybe it will become contagious and you too can enjoy life as richly and fully as God has blessed mine. Thanks for the reminder to all Doug. God loves to hear us laugh. The sun shines brighter, the days are more beautiful when they are filled with laughter of a Christian heart.

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