Fun and Faith is Not an Oxymoron

“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

When I was in seminary, I was fortunate enough to have a faithful and supportive mentor who focused on developing the foundation of my reading and the development of my prayer life. Unfortunately, one area where my mentor was, in my opinion, mistaken was in the arena of fun and enjoyment. He instructed me not to show congregation members my downtime and not my expressions of delight. Thankfully, I chose to take much of his guidance, but not the one related to withholding enjoyment and fun.

In an article by jversteegh from outsideonline.com entitled, “How Having Fun Makes You Healthier and Smarter,” the author affirms, “A 2013 Swiss study published in the European Journal of Humor Research showed that playful adults lived happier, more satisfying, and healthier lives.” A Norweigianstudy in 2016 confirmed, “The more you laugh, the longer you’ll live.” The scientists found that laughter reduced stress hormones which “suppress the immune system.” 

A South Korean study found that “the body releases the feel-good neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which leads to elevated mood and a healthier cell-proliferation process.”Finally, professors at the University of Rochester and the University of Arizona found that “Participants reported that social interaction, with a friend or stranger, was more fun than solitary activity.” So what does this have to do with your faith and mine?

Laughter, playfulness, and social interaction provide for positive self-worth. Fun is a necessary part of a healthy and meaningful life. When we share fun-loving moments, divine joy fills our hearts. Faith in God should be a joyous activity, rather than always remaining somber and detached from laughter. Today, think about what brings you fun, joy, and laughter. Then, consider what joy and happiness mean for your experience of church. How are you offering community fun, joy, and laughter to those in your family, church, and work-life? If you do not have specific examples, it is time to make fun, joy, and laughter a higher priority in your life.