Enjoy

ENJOY
It’s one of my favorite words that my wife says. On the way to a fun outing, she’ll say, “Enjoy!” When I’m headed off to lunch with someone, she’ll say, “Enjoy!” There’s just something about hearing that word that makes the experience even better. Not only does it take away any guilt I might feel for enjoying something she may not get to do, but it also comes with her blessing to enjoy it! Of course, my wife is awesome!

Recently, I’ve noticed others doing it too. A fast-food worker says, “Enjoy,” and I do. The ride operator at Kings Island says, “Enjoy,” and I do. Being encouraged to enjoy something always makes it feel more enjoyable. I’ve started saying it to others as well, which is also enjoyable.

ENJOY LIFE
I believe that God is the giver of all life, and that life is meant to be enjoyed. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflects on the brevity and fleeting nature of life, yet also offers valuable wisdom on how to enjoy it. He writes:

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 – “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from Him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” (ESV)

Ecclesiastes 3:13 – “And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.” (NKJV)

Life is a gift from God, and everything we have is a gift from Him (James 1:17). Therefore, life is meant to be enjoyed.

ENJOY GOD
The first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” When my students write about this, most focus on the first part—that man’s purpose is to “glorify God.” However, the aspect of enjoying God is often overlooked. I fear it may be overlooked by many believers as well.

So, enjoy! Enjoy life! Enjoy the good gifts from our good God! And most importantly, enjoy God Himself—not only in eternity, but starting now and lasting forevermore.