Life is hard and there are many things we’re called to accomplish everyday. But there’s more to life than simply work and grind as we navigate the various pains and heartaches of this world. God has given us a beautiful world to take delight in and it’s good for our souls to do just this.
Often we think of good in terms of functional efficiency rather than beauty and delight – what simply needs to get done rather than what brings joy to our souls.
And certainly, the point here is not to merely get drunk on shallow pleasures to the neglect of our other duties and responsibilities. But it’s okay to enjoy regular and frequent moments of pure delight as well.
God made creation pleasing to the eye and not just functional. While the work of life continues, there are many aspects simply pleasant to take in and enjoy for its own sake. And it’s good for us to also approach life in this way.
For instance, this might be enjoying a good meal, music, or movie. Or perhaps it’s taking an adventure, engaging in sexual delights, gazing on beauty, or simply the joy of an afternoon nap. Whatever it looks like, the point is not to accomplish anything in particular, but rather to just let our souls fill with delight.
We delight in those things that make us smile just because. And this becomes a much-needed antidote to the surface pressure and darkness that surrounds us.
To be sure, there are many things that still need to be done and many griefs still to endure. But learning to take delight in simple pleasures feeds our souls and gives us the strength to carry on.
In the end, remember there’s more to life than just getting the next thing done. Regularly take delight in those things that fill your soul with joy. We need many of these moments to keep our hearts alive.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
