Devotion: Joyful Playing in the Lord’s Word
Please take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31-11:1
If you are life-long Lutheran, you may remember times when in church, you were expected to sit quietly in your pew and not play with drawings or books. If you had a fit of the giggles, stern faces turned your way. The car ride home was often not pleasant. When I heard that our Bible series would focus on play, memories of my stern grandfather came to mind.
However, I think he would agree with these Biblical examples:
Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Ecclesiastes 3:4 …and a time to laugh…and a time to dance.
2 Samuel 6:14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 and 31-11:1 …Do everything for the glory of God.
As I recall playing with my children, I realize that during the game of croquet, my husband and I often taught the Christian value of forgiveness when someone sent our ball to another land or honesty about how many swings were taken. During playing a game of cards, there many times that my Steve and I as well as my parents reinforced the Christian values of being a good loser or a humble winner.
Times of play offered my family opportunities to hug and bond in Christian love. Every long trip in the car was filled with the latest Christian songs from Sunday School, Children’s Choir, and Carol Joy Holling Camp.
Most importantly, I pray that those playful times allowed Steve and I to demonstrate what it meant to be Christian parents who were filled with Christian love and Biblical values.
Playing – not lecturing – was the perfect canvas to develop the values of truth and honesty, establish the Christian ethics of forgiveness and good-will during play and in life, and construct a core sense of right and wrong.
Play, laugh, relax, sing, dance, hug, teach, lead –all for the glory of God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. – Romans 15:13
Dear Lord, thank you for your words in Psalm 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made, Let us be glad and rejoice in it. You have given us the emotions of joy and happiness. Allow us to use these gifts to your glory in everything we do. Amen.
Written by Glenda Clare
Glenda and her husband, Steve, joined Sheridan Lutheran in the spring of 2003 and have been blessed by the pastors and the congregation of friends. Glenda is retired and enjoys reading and writing novels.
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