God’s Love and Ensuring There is a Time For All Things

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, I want to talk to you about the role of games and joy in the Bible. We often think of the Bible as a serious, solemn book, but it's important to remember that the Bible also acknowledges the importance of play and enjoyment.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, we read that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." The passage goes on to list a variety of activities, including "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." This passage reminds us that there is a time and a place for everything, including games and levity.

In the Old Testament, we see examples of people enjoying games and leisure activities. In 1 Samuel 16:14-23, we read about David being brought to King Saul to play the lyre and soothe his troubled spirit. David's music brings comfort and joy to Saul, showing the power of music and entertainment to lift our spirits.

We also see Jesus using games and play to teach important lessons. In Matthew 18:2-4, Jesus tells His disciples that "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This statement highlights the importance of childlike wonder, playfulness, and openness to learning.

So, what can we learn from these examples of games and levity in the Bible? First, we can see that play and enjoyment are an important part of life, and that God created us to experience joy and happiness. Second, we can see that games and leisure activities can bring people together and build community. Third, we can see that humor and playfulness can be powerful tools for teaching important lessons.

However, we must also be careful not to let games and leisure activities become a distraction from our spiritual lives. We must be mindful of the time and energy we devote to these activities, making sure that they don't take priority over our relationships with God and with each other.

I want to share a personal story with you all. As your pastor, I sometimes enjoy playing golf on Saturdays as a way to relax and unwind. But as some of you may know, my wife, Christina, will tease me for spending too much time on the golf course!

Now, I know that my wife is just teasing me out of love, and I don't take it too seriously. But it does remind me of the importance of balance in our lives. Just as we need to balance work and play, we also need to balance our relationships with our loved ones and our relationship with God.

As the Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." This passage reminds us that even when we are enjoying leisure activities, we should do them as unto the Lord, seeking to honor Him in all that we do.

So, let us remember to enjoy games and levity as a way to experience joy and build community, but let us also be mindful of our priorities and ensure that our focus remains on God and our relationships with those around us. And for those of you who may be inclined to tease me about my love of golf, I'll just leave you with this Christian wit: "Why did Moses never go golfing? Because he always got a hole in one - he parted the green!"

May God bless you all, and may we continue to find joy and fulfillment in all aspects of our lives. Amen.