Let Your Fun Out!

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Quite some time ago, I heard a casino commercial use the catchphrase "Let your fun out!"

Admittedly, I could not be more sick of all of the casino commercials that try to suck people into the gambling world.  On and on they go, telling us we can get our money back even if we start losing; we only have to make a small bet; somehow the odds are in our favor, they seem to imply.

I know there are a lot of people out there who play for the fun of it and gamble reasonably.  They're not the ones I worry about.  I worry about those who are addicted to gambling and are vulnerable.  Those who find it hard to resist the temptation that is always in their face, promising a bright outcome.

But I digress.

Letting our fun out is a good thing to do, but I suspect one or two of us may find it hard to do, as we are often so busy with the ins and outs of daily life, just trying to make ends meet.  How can we let our fun out when the bills have to be paid, the car needs repairs, there's a family emergency, the kids need homework help, the workday never ends, dinner has to be made and we need sleep?

I think if we can find a way to have fun doing those things, that can certainly help, but as someone reminded me recently--just look at scripture--Jesus took care of himself even amid people pressing into him all the time.  It might not exactly be getting your fun out, but we are more likely to have fun when we are rested and not so intense.

This collection comes from this website (I am not recommending this website, just wanted to give credit where credit is due.)  I hope you will look up the scripture passages and let me know what you think.

6 Reasons Jesus Chose Solitude Over People

  1. To prepare for a major task Luke 4:1-2, 14-15. After Jesus was baptized He spent 40 days praying in the wilderness. After this He was tempted by Satan and then began His public ministry.
  2. To recharge after hard work Mark 6:30-32. Jesus sent the 12 disciples out to do ministry. When they returned He encouraged them to separate from the people who were following them to rest.

  3. To work through grief Matthew 14:1-13. After Jesus learned that his cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded, He went away by Himself. Yes, even the Son of God grieves.

  4. Before making an important decision Luke 6:12-13. Early in His ministry Jesus spent the whole night alone in prayer. The next day He chose his 12 disciples.

  5. In a time of distress Luke 22:39-44. Hours before Jesus was arrested He went to the Mt. of Olives and went a short distance away from His disciples to pray. He was in great emotional agony knowing what he was about to face.

  6. To focus on prayer Luke 5:16. Many times in Jesus’ ministry He spent time alone in prayer.

You see, you are not being selfish to take some time to recharge your battery.  Even Jesus himself did that!

As we dive into Lent, I hope you will be kind to yourself and make room for Jesus.  It's a little tricky trying to give your all to others while taking care of yourself, but finding that balance is essential, for without it, we will never be able to let our fun out!

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com

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