The video is here.
A friend shared with me yesterday that his business was expanding into several neighboring nations and his schedule was busy, but he was having fun. In the middle of a conference in Poland 5 years ago I was with a team of businessmen in a conference, and the Lord gave us a prophetic phrase to summarize our message about the Kingdom, “Have fun, make money and love people.” Co-laboring with the Father is fun. God delights in His people. He rejoices and dances over them. He created us for worship, to fellowship with Him, love Him and work with Him. The more mature and fruitful we get, the more fun we have. We’re aligning people with their hearts where dreams come true, freedom reigns, nations are blessed, the Kingdom is built, and the King of kings is worshipped. It’s a party and you’re invited. A smile is one of the trademarks of a healthy follower of Jesus. Laughter is like a medicine for our hearts. God is the author of fun; just knowing Him makes us feel lighter and gives us liberty.
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Ps 16:8-11 NIV
How it happens – Fun is what happens on the path of a life of substance. It starts with the experience of meeting Jesus. Encounters with the Holy Spirit are a lifeline to weary and wounded hearts, and the release is often expressed in laughter. When I began to work with my Father, I moved from a child to a son. When I moved from obedience to initiative, I moved from son to King to possess the land with my name on it. We are children, sons, and Kings at the same time; it’s a relationship and partnership that blesses the heart of God. He delights in the well-being of his people (Ps 35:27). God takes pleasure in seeing us succeed. He shares the dream in my heart. Or is it I share the dream in His Heart? Does it really matter? God and I are both excited about the same thing and we are both taking initiatives to make it happen. There is a connection between being on the same page with God and working with Him that is an entry pass to His joy.
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matt 25:21 NKJV
Having fun is not some great mystery. When our dreams come true and our prayer is answered, it’s fun! Our job is to have a dream and a plan to bring it to pass, believe God to help us (ask), work with Him to make it happen, and then start the party. God wants your joy to be complete. It blesses His heart too!
I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24 NIV
Some do have a religious concept of a God without emotions. They experience their Christian life as a sacrifice of surrender and obedience. Obedience does not define spiritual maturity; it is the response of a child. Real surrender is, “giving up on the idea that my dream can’t come true, and accepting God’s favor, promotion, glory, honor and wealth” and giving it back to Him in worship from hearts filled with gratitude. Accountability is me understanding what your dream is and encouraging you to contend for the desires God put in your heart. Dreams do come true – it’s fun. When you are victorious and your dreams come true, we and all of heaven, are rejoicing. In fact, we are not afraid to start the party when your dream is still in the “hope” stage.
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Ps 20:4-5 NIV
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7 NIV
Dancing – Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist when she found out Mary was going to give birth to Jesus. Her baby leaped with joy!
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41 NIV
There are times when the Spirit of God reminds us of something exiting or just touches us and our hearts leap within us. It’s important to give yourself permission to celebrate the goodness and presence of God. Hearts leaping is just the first step toward dancing. Expressing our joy outwardly is a huge part of releasing the celebration inwardly. So, here is your simple assignment. Translate the intellectual and theological theory of having fun to an experience of your heart. Make it real! The Kingdom really is like an invitation to a wedding banquet… there is joy, music, dancing and celebration.
I’ll share one suggestion that works for me. Find a private room, play these two songs and dance before the Lord (In Jesus Name and Dance).
