JOY: (n) a fruit of the Spirit

If I had just told you this story, you’d say to me, “show me pictures or it didn’t happen.” So I brought a picture (shared with permission). His names Jennings - Jeff Jennings. And in this picture you can clearly see this wonderful man using a scanner at the fair to play laser tag! Yes. Hiding behind a box, at one point a folding chair, and running around this big tent. He went all in! On the other side of the tent is his opponent, Susan (check FB for a video of these two!). You’ll have to ask them who won this round.

It’s my favorite picture as of late for a very important reason. When we read the gospel stories we innately see the pharisees as the antagonists of the story. Without being able to clarify exactly why, and without any theological training we feel that tension. Because the role we recognize them playing is one of rigid practice, impossible standards, and my way or the highway bossy pants. The pharisees are just NO FUN! Compare that to Jesus who says, “I have come to bring life, and life abundant!” Jesus who is on occasion accused of partying too much with his friends.

So I love this photo because it helps us own something so important. Yes, we will take our work of church seriously. And at the same time we won’t take ourselves too seriously, instead opting for serious fun! Worship on Sunday mornings should be fun. Serving our community should be fun. Bible studies should be fun. If we seriously want to build the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, we have to practice the joy that must be found at God’s Heavenly Feast.

To clarify how important taking fun seriously is, check out the Institute of Play (it’s a real thing)

Will you pray with me?

If you’re reading this email I assume your an adult. Good guess? Just between us, adults are not great at being playful (Jeff is an outlier). And when we’re not good at something it can help to ask a professional. So here’s a prayer from my daughter, Ellie, to help guide us in play this week:

Dear God,

Thank you for my Mommy and Daddy, and for my sister and my doggies.

Thank you for flowers and chicken nuggets.

Please don’t let it rain tomorrow so I can go to the playground.

And can I play with my stuffies now? I love playing and I love you.

Amen.

“Listening is the first act of loving.”

Steph