Celebrate Father's Day with a Smile

Christianity is a pretty somber business, right? Jesus did tell us that we are going to be persecuted for our faith. He even commanded that we take up our cross if we are going to follow him. It seems like the only option for most Christians is to suck it up, keep a solemn disposition at all times, and by in large just skip all pleasures. Basically, just hunker down and get gravely disciplish.

Let’s be clear: Christianity isn’t easy. Yes, the world will hate us and we will be called on to endure great trials. Becoming more like Jesus takes dying to self every day. That doesn’t mean, however, that once your saved there is to be no more fun in your life. I think God wants us to have more fun.

God meant for his children to be filled with joy. Scripture is filled numerous examples of great and joyful celebrations. The Jews celebrated their exodus from captivity in Egypt. David danced. Jesus was at a wedding celebration when he performed His first miracle. There is nothing wrong with having fun. God was the creator of fun. Of course, when that fun comes at the expense of others, or when that fun comes as a result of immoral activity it is godless. But fun that lasts is the fun we can have doing what God wants. This kind of fun we could call true joy because it brings an inner satisfaction that worldly fun simply cannot match.

Anyone who knew Chad knew that he was always a joy to be around. He was never short on ways to have fun with his friends and family. We could spend hours just talking about all the funny things that Chad did and said during his time with us. Yet even with all the fun that Chad had with his friends nothing brought more joy into his life than his son Chase and his wife Courtney. Since the moment Chase was born Chad would always look for ways to make him laugh. It was obvious to everyone around that Chad loved Chase and Chase loved his Daddy. This was especially evident when they had fun together.

This fathers day I am reminded of the fun that Chad had with Chase. I am reminded of the joy that Chase so clearly brought into Chad’s life. Being a parent started out as a dream for Chad. Chad and Courtney waited for the birth of Chase dreaming about their sweet baby boy. Their dreams for Chase were filled with joyful and happy thoughts. When Chase was born that joy didn’t stop. Of course there was the shocking reality that their dream baby also came with poopy diapers and long sleepless nights but Chad and Courtney kept on living out an joy filled life as they doted on little Chase. As a father, Chad constantly wore a smile bigger than many of us have ever produced.

This father’s day celebrate by having godly fun the way Chad used to. As you pursue the adventure in the everyday, try and look for a way to cheer someone else up. Bring your loved ones near to you and laugh a little. Tell a joke or two and recount some of your hilarious stories from childhood. Dwell on the good times with a smile on your face. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). This fathers day I urge you to live like it. 


Posted by Caleb