My daughter is 20, my oldest son is a senior in High School, and my yongest son is 14.  Like every parent I’m asking myself… “Where did the time go?” 

Then I look in the mirror and ask the same question.  It seems to me like yesterday I graduated High School… the day after that I graduated college… the next day I got married, my daughter was born, graduated seminary, pastored four churches, and my other two kids were born, and now I’ middle aged.  Where did the time go?

I wish I had done more sight seeing while in seminary at New Orleans.  I wish I had spent more time playing with my kids when they wanted to play with me.  I wish I had not spent so much time worrying about things, people, and situations that I’ve now forgotten.  I wish I had played more PERIOD!

If I had only just taken to heart what is written in the Scripture… “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, ESV).

Life beats everyone up, some worse than others.  So while it is today… while a person is able… before your body breaks down, your eyes grow dim, your ears don’t hear as well, and sleep flees… ENJOY LIFE!

If you want to do something… DO IT!  Of course that is within the bounds of Philippians 1:27 (Go read that verse!!).  If you have a dream… FOLLOW IT!  Most important of all… build relationships with people!!  Spend time with them.  Laugh.  Do fun things.  Tell jokes.  Play a few harmless pranks.  ENJOY LIFE!

After all… didn’t Jesus say, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly?” (John 10:10b)

I’m tired of modern day Pharisees who think it’s their job to squelch the fun out of everyone’s life!  I’m tired of narrow eyed Christians who try to turn smiles into frowns.  And I’m more tired of letting them win!

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:4-5, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer” (NIV).  I think that means that nothing in and of it’s self is evil… it all has to do with how things are used… as we put Philippians 1:27 into practice (Have you read that verse yet?).

So here’s my thought for today… ENJOY LIFE!  Be a kid, even if you’re not under the age of 21.  It IS possible… if not expected… for Christians to ENJOY LIFE.  There is fun and laughter and pleasure in this life to be experienced.  It all is to be kept in the context of what Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:27.  That’s for people like me who’d prefer to have fun rather than be chasing down Bible verses all day).

Joy is a choice.  Happiness is a choice.  And both are most profound when lived out in keeping with Philippians 1:27!

So go have some fun!  Laugh… Live… Love God!  That goes double for Amy, Trey, and Britton!!