Devotional: Fun Faith by Sarah Nutter

Philippians 3:1 – “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.”

I don’t want to “rewrite Scripture,” but I’m going to put that verse into words that are straight from my heart. Here’s my version of Philippians 3:1: “Alright, girls, get up and sing that song we all sang as kids, ‘Rejoice in the Lord Always and Again I Say Rejoice!' And then on Sunday, when you’re in church, smile, ok? God is good. Rejoice in Him. I don’t mind telling you what you already know because I want to pound it into your brains.”

There’s a lady in my church named Suki. In my entire life I’ve never seen a person radiate as much pure joy as that woman shows. Her face literally MAKES me smile. I finally realized what her deal was. Suki knows that God is good.

I wonder if I’m a Suki. When I’m singing worship songs during the Sunday morning service, can people see my eyes smiling? Am I wearing my heart on my sleeve, letting my happiness pour out for all to see? Do I MAKE people smile just by looking at me?

Let’s say the answer to all those questions is “yes.” The next question is the most important: Am I faking it? Trying to please everyone and hold up appearances? Or am I genuinely rejoicing?

Did you know that the Bible tells us to “rejoice in the Lord” around fourteen times? I think that’s because it’s such a big problem for us. We get so caught up in the formalities of church and home-life. We sing the songs, go to youth group, and even do our devotions every day because we’re supposed to, right? But how much of that time are we truly enjoying God?

Read the last part of Philippians 3:1. “It is a safeguard for you.” You know what I think that means? I think that Paul was protecting the Philippians from a belief many of us hold to, whether we realize it or not. Here it is: “going through the motions” is just as good as enjoying and praising God. And the problem is, that perspective keeps us from having the “fun” God intended when we walk with Him.

But GOD IS FUN.

If God weren’t “fun,” He wouldn’t have given us a sense of humor. He wouldn’t have given us the capability to come up with “fun” games like Cranium and Clue, and “fun” activities like going to the movies and shopping. He wouldn’t have given us personalities that are compatible with other people, so we can have “fun” with our friends. He wouldn’t have made heaven more “fun” than we can imagine so that when we die, we’ll know nothing but happiness.

That’s why they tell us to rejoice. We should let everyone know that we’re crazy with happiness, because God IS fun. And we would do well to remember that.

God, you tell us to “rejoice.” Well, I don’t get as excited about worshipping you as I should. But the truth is, knowing You is soooo fun. Help me to show it more.

Are you havin’ fun rejoicing in the Lord today?