There’s a time to work and a time to simply enjoy life itself. This is not simply taking a break from our ordinary work, but it’s actively celebrating and drinking deeply of the goodness of life itself.
To be sure, we were created to work. But the good life is not found merely through our ability to be productive and accomplish the many tasks of life.
For example, the children of Israel were given annual festivals that included both times of rest and celebrating with joy before God.
And we need these regular times still today – to enjoy good food and music, dancing and just being together with much gratitude before God.
This allows us to step outside of the stress and burdens of everyday life and remember that God is still good and has blessed us with many good things to enjoy.
This is not partying to forget our troubles. Rather it’s celebrating to remember the ultimate goodness of our God even when life is hard.
And perhaps this is why the festivals of times past were commanded to be kept. They were not dependent upon how the people felt in moment. They were simply part of the established rhythms of their life.
All too often we value work above all else and only stop when we get sick and physically can’t do anything else.
But this is not how it should be.
Of course, life is not just one big party. There’s much work to be done.
But we still need regular times of celebration. And we allow our souls to be depleted and fragile when we don’t. Anger, bitterness, and resentment are also close by when we don’t remember to drink deeply of the good God has given us.
Commit to finding regular time for festivals and celebrating with joy before God. Your soul will thank you and all those around will be blessed as well.
