Work v. Play

"I have nothing to say against recreation in its proper place. Certain forms of
recreation are needful and useful; but it is a wretched thing when amusement
becomes a vocation. Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it
must never be used as the food of the man. From early morning till late at night some
spend their time in a round of frivolities, or else their very work is simply carried on
to furnish them funds for their pleasures. This is vicious. Many have had all holy
thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so
called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement:
everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle."
-- C.H. Spurgeon

I came across this quote this morning, and I must say I was convicted by it. I started to think about the times when I only do "enough" of my household work so I can go and do something else that's more fun. I wonder how many others fall into this trap?

It's not surprising, after all, that we would stumble in this way, considering all that the secular world tells us we deserve. The mantra is "take care of yourself", "me, me, me", "do what feels good" and we as Christians too often fall into that category. I know that I've in the past written something along these lines, but I figure if I fail at it again and again, others probably do as well.

I may step on some toes here, but if you find yourself feeling offended, go first to scripture and base your refutation there instead of on emotional reactions. I think the Church is failing at keeping biblical instructions. Not that we are under the Law, but that in our freedom in Christ we are not following the instruction we are given. Nowhere do I see the Bible telling us to do "just enough" so the job is done, but not so much that it robs us of our "free time" or "recreation. In fact, we are to set an example in the things we do, and I'm fairly certain that we don't want others to think Christianity is only about "doing just enough" for Jesus. We want others to see that we are so grateful that God would choose us, so depraved and sinful and undeserving, and save us from damnation that we may have hope in eternity with Him that we would do anything He asks of us with a joyful heart and not one that is seemingly burdened by "rules".

I often see people who act like the work they do in their lives is such a burden, and they will suffer through it because God instructs them to. I am that person at times, and more often than I would like to admit. I think God placed the above quote in my path today to bring my heart back to where it should always be- focused on God and His glory.

Do you need to re-focus your attitude and actions? What steps will you take to find joy in everything you do, even in work, that Christ might show in your life? Today I will meditate and pray on what God has brought to light. I will be thankful for the grace that God has so graciously bestowed on this worthless sinner, and will do my best to find joy in even the most mundane tasks. I will look anew on the time I spend with my husband and son, such blessings in my life. I will realize that pleasure is good, but I am also to take pleasure and rejoice in whatever situation God brings into my life, whether it be work or play.

May I be held accountable for my actions and by God's grace succeed in being a light for Him, an example for others, and may I continually be growing in holiness and love for my King.