1 00:00:35,675 --> 00:00:40,635 Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Daily Christian Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's 2 00:00:40,715 --> 00:00:43,915 Speaker 1: meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. 3 00:00:44,235 --> 00:00:46,475 Speaker 1: If you go to lifeaudio dot com you will find 4 00:00:46,555 --> 00:00:50,075 Speaker 1: dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've 5 00:00:50,075 --> 00:00:53,915 Speaker 1: got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head 6 00:00:53,915 --> 00:00:57,795 Speaker 1: over to lifeaudio dot com now, and remember you can 7 00:00:57,835 --> 00:01:01,555 Speaker 1: have full access to our meditations commercial free. Just text 8 00:01:01,635 --> 00:01:05,075 Speaker 1: abide to two two four three three for twenty five 9 00:01:05,115 --> 00:01:09,355 Speaker 1: percent off. Now receive his piece as we meditate and 10 00:01:09,435 --> 00:01:10,435 Speaker 1: abide in Christ. 11 00:01:13,115 --> 00:01:21,875 Speaker 2: Welcome to this Abide Meditation. I'm Chloe Elmore. Do you 12 00:01:22,235 --> 00:01:28,715 Speaker 2: even feel unspiritual when you're having fun? Well? Did you 13 00:01:28,835 --> 00:01:33,275 Speaker 2: know that Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time to laugh. 14 00:01:35,795 --> 00:01:43,835 Speaker 2: Take a moment to smile, to breathe deeply, and maybe 15 00:01:43,875 --> 00:01:47,275 Speaker 2: even chuckle to yourself as you remember something recently that 16 00:01:47,395 --> 00:01:56,555 Speaker 2: made you laugh. Proverbs seventeen twenty two in the New 17 00:01:56,635 --> 00:02:02,035 Speaker 2: Living Translation says a cheerful heart is good medicine, but 18 00:02:02,155 --> 00:02:11,795 Speaker 2: a broken spirit SAPs a person's strength. The Bible also 19 00:02:11,915 --> 00:02:14,755 Speaker 2: has warnings about trying to cheer up a person who 20 00:02:14,875 --> 00:02:20,355 Speaker 2: has a heavy heart. See Proverbs twenty five twenty about 21 00:02:20,395 --> 00:02:25,235 Speaker 2: pouring vinegar on a wound, but laughter as a gift 22 00:02:25,275 --> 00:02:30,355 Speaker 2: from God. It's a part of who he is. In 23 00:02:30,435 --> 00:02:36,675 Speaker 2: Genesis twenty one six, Sarah declares God, God has brought 24 00:02:36,715 --> 00:02:42,355 Speaker 2: me laughter. This is not laughter at someone else's expense. 25 00:02:43,395 --> 00:02:48,395 Speaker 2: It's not derisive or mocking. It's born out of joy. 26 00:02:49,835 --> 00:02:54,995 Speaker 2: Imagine God laughing as he creates the dark billed platypus 27 00:02:55,435 --> 00:02:58,635 Speaker 2: and watches the antics of a litter of puppies or 28 00:02:58,755 --> 00:03:04,795 Speaker 2: leaping baby goats. You can enjoy fun activities and smile 29 00:03:04,955 --> 00:03:10,035 Speaker 2: throughout the day without worrying that you're displeasing God. Laughter 30 00:03:10,195 --> 00:03:14,435 Speaker 2: and joy are gifts from him. Having fun is an 31 00:03:14,475 --> 00:03:18,915 Speaker 2: important part of self care. Make time to do what 32 00:03:18,955 --> 00:03:25,035 Speaker 2: you enjoy. Go for a hike, call a friend, watch 33 00:03:25,035 --> 00:03:29,275 Speaker 2: a feel good movie that makes you laugh, play a 34 00:03:29,435 --> 00:03:36,235 Speaker 2: favorite song, and dance. It's not unspiritual. The word of 35 00:03:36,275 --> 00:03:42,875 Speaker 2: God encourages it. Dear God, I need to make time 36 00:03:42,915 --> 00:03:47,195 Speaker 2: to let go of my work and responsibilities and simply 37 00:03:47,355 --> 00:03:52,995 Speaker 2: have fun. You made humans in your image. All that 38 00:03:53,035 --> 00:03:58,315 Speaker 2: we have is from you, So we enjoy and laughter 39 00:03:59,155 --> 00:04:03,595 Speaker 2: and singing are encouraged in your word. We know that 40 00:04:03,715 --> 00:04:08,275 Speaker 2: it is from you. Help me to understand that when 41 00:04:08,395 --> 00:04:13,075 Speaker 2: I have fun, I am reflecting your image, as long 42 00:04:13,195 --> 00:04:18,115 Speaker 2: as it isn't at someone else's expense. May my laughter 43 00:04:18,555 --> 00:04:23,915 Speaker 2: and liked heart testify to your spirit working in my life. 44 00:04:24,035 --> 00:04:32,835 Speaker 2: I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen, keep breathing deeply 45 00:04:33,955 --> 00:04:37,835 Speaker 2: and let a smile play on your lips, even if 46 00:04:37,875 --> 00:04:42,915 Speaker 2: you are in the midst of a hard circumstance. Let 47 00:04:43,115 --> 00:04:55,275 Speaker 2: God show you his goodness as you come before him today. 48 00:04:59,355 --> 00:05:02,875 Speaker 2: Have you perhaps found yourself being judgmental of others who 49 00:05:02,915 --> 00:05:05,195 Speaker 2: are taking life a little less seriously than you do. 50 00:05:06,515 --> 00:05:10,195 Speaker 2: Bring that before the Lord. Let him show you his 51 00:05:10,435 --> 00:05:25,235 Speaker 2: plan for bringing fun into your life. Think about how 52 00:05:25,315 --> 00:05:30,755 Speaker 2: you feel when you're laughing with pure joy, when you're 53 00:05:30,795 --> 00:05:33,795 Speaker 2: watching the chatter of a one year old, or when 54 00:05:33,835 --> 00:05:38,475 Speaker 2: you're belly laughing at a friend's funny story. It really 55 00:05:38,675 --> 00:05:48,995 Speaker 2: is good medicine. Lord God. Laughter is born from your spirit, 56 00:05:50,315 --> 00:05:54,195 Speaker 2: but like many things, it's been twisted so that it 57 00:05:54,235 --> 00:06:01,075 Speaker 2: makes others feel bad. Help me know the difference. I 58 00:06:01,115 --> 00:06:05,555 Speaker 2: know you want me to take care of myself. Having fun, 59 00:06:05,995 --> 00:06:11,035 Speaker 2: being light hearted, and laughing and joy are all big 60 00:06:11,115 --> 00:06:14,675 Speaker 2: parts of that. I want to honor you in all 61 00:06:14,755 --> 00:06:21,555 Speaker 2: that I do, and that includes my recreation. You encourage 62 00:06:21,715 --> 00:06:27,035 Speaker 2: my heart with gladness. You turn my mourning into dancing. 63 00:06:29,195 --> 00:06:38,595 Speaker 2: Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen, take a walk, read 64 00:06:38,595 --> 00:06:45,555 Speaker 2: a book, watch a video about leaping baby goats. Do 65 00:06:45,875 --> 00:06:48,995 Speaker 2: something that will put a genuine smile of joy on 66 00:06:49,035 --> 00:06:57,075 Speaker 2: your face. Until next time, may you abide in Christ.