Enjoy Yourself
By Lisa Boyer
“My lips will shout for
joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.”
Psalm
71:23 (NIV)
Have you ever had to go to something that you just didn’t want
to attend, but you felt obligated to be there? From social engagements to
family gatherings, it’s probably happened to all of us, but it had become a
pattern for me. While I’d continued to attend those types of events and even
wore a smile, negativity bubbled just under the surface.
There was an event coming up, and I considered staying at home.
But once again, I felt obligated to attend. I realized that if I offered to be
the photographer, I could go without really having to be there. My plan was
working great, until someone found out I was going to the event to take
pictures but didn’t have a ticket for the meal. So she kindly purchased one for
me. Ugh.
But when she told me that she’d bought a ticket for me, she also
said, “Go and enjoy myself.” As I heard the instructions, I was taken aback.
Honestly, the thought of enjoying myself had never occurred to me. I walked
away from the conversation with a new obligation. I was to go and enjoy myself.
Doing that was going to require change. I don’t really know how
to describe it, but the transformation felt a lot like what is demonstrated in
the music video “Joy”1 by the group For King and Country. The video
begins completely in black and white, and then the emotion of “joy” enters and
is represented by color that spreads as the joy spreads. In the end, the entire
video is in color as they choose joy.
My favorite part of the song says: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of night, Oh, with You
by my side, I'm stepping into the light, I choose joy.2 That’s
what I had done… I set aside all the negative thoughts and dreads that were
weighing me down, and I chose joy.
I went to the event, and I enjoyed myself. A lot. It’s made me
wonder how many events I had begrudgingly attended while God had wanted so much
more for me.
Why would I choose anything but joy?
GOING DEEPER:
1. Is it time for an attitude check in your life?
2.
Has something in this life stolen your joy? Will you take time with the
Lord today, and talk to Him about it? And then will you listen to Him?
FURTHER READING:
Lisa is married to Ted and they have
two adult sons. Lisa serves on a Sunday morning Welcoming Team.
[1] Watch the video for Joy at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA7n7TwPDmw
[2] Joy. lyrics © Warner/Chappell
Music, Inc, BMG Rights Management, Capitol Christian Music Group
