Enjoy life! That’s what the checkout person said as I pushed my grocery cart out of his lane. How did he know? How did he know he was saying that on the precise day I said, “Enjoy heaven!” to my wife two years earlier?
Frankly, I didn’t want to be at the grocery store alone that day. Mindy and I often went to the grocery store together. You might think it odd, but it was one of the places the two of us could talk together about life and that week’s plans. Yet, there I was, racing through the store by myself. I did chat with a friend while there. And that clerk’s comment was precisely what I needed in that moment. There are many days when it may be difficult to “enjoy” because of our circumstances. Nonetheless, I want to give God thanks that life can continually be enjoyed when he is our focus. Why? The hole-causing circumstances of my life do not limit or exhaust God’s holistic plan for life nor living.
Enjoy Jesus. He is the creator of life. He is the first born of life. He is the giver of all of life. He is the sustainer of life. He rules over all life. He is the gracious one who offers the forgiveness of sin and therefore, eternal life. He is worthy of praising and enjoying for the days and weeks and years we all have. Enjoy Jesus today.
Enjoy family. You and I wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for some form of family. You may or may not have the ideal biological family, but you can have a wonderful spiritual family. My biological family has supported my children and me in loving, overwhelming ways. My spiritual family, the body of Christ, has prayed for and encouraged us so much they are surely unaware of the crucial depth it brings to life and well-being. You may think you are alone. Look around. Enjoy family today.
Enjoy life. A grocery store employee I had never seen before changed my whole perspective on what was a difficult day to remember with two simple, passing words. What words do you need to hear today? What words can you offer someone today? God is speaking. Life is speaking. Be sure to enjoy life every day, even in the hardest seasons.
Dr. Jim Dunn is executive director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.
