Celebrations Are Biblical: Why God Values Rest, Joy, and Fun

One of the things that stands out in the Old Testament is how often God instructed the Israelites to stop working and go celebrate.

He established:

· The Sabbath (a day of rest)

· Passover

· The Feast of Weeks

· The Feast of Tabernacles

· Other annual festivals and celebrations

These weren't merely religious obligations. They were times of worship, community, feasting, gratitude, storytelling, music, dancing and celebration.

In other words:

God didn't just command work. He also commanded rest, celebration, and joy. And notice these were not just suggestions – they were mandates. These Biblical celebrations strengthened relationships, built community, and reminded people of God's faithfulness. He meant for us to do these things – including having fun and celebrating!

If you can’t think of any ways to have fun (sad but we all get there at times) here is a list of possibilities.

· Water balloon toss – great for a summer evening

· Learn to play Pickleball

· Watching fireworks – leave your dogs at home

· Outdoor movie night – if you live near a drive-in movie theater – and there are a few still left – go there.

I personally love the fact that God genuinely wants us to have fun. Since He commands it, He must know that it’s important for us. For me, fun helps provide balance and positivity to my life so I try to have some on a regular basis – it can make a big difference!

Studies also suggest laughter can improve focus, creativity, memory, and problem-solving. Research with older adults even found improvements in short-term memory. 

Translation:

A little fun may actually help your brain work better. At my age, I’m in favor of anything that helps my brain. Fortunately, research suggests that fun and laughter may do exactly that.

One of my main sources of laughter is my 2 dogs. They’re silly, sweet and both have huge FOMO. They make me laugh on a regular basis. And the fact that it helps my brain function better is a great side benefit!

Try some of these suggestions to help you start moving toward more fun:

· Visit a farmer’s market – these are usually early on Saturday morning – some have breakfast items you can buy and some offer samples.

· Take a nature photography walk

· Bake and decorate cookies – you will likely not get perfect cookies but your kids or grandkids will probably have a good time with them

· Try a new craft – I’m a huge crafter so this is in my wheelhouse. You can get good ideas on Pinterest and find videos on YouTube for inspiration. Keep it simple and just enjoy!

Sometimes small steps are enough. Sometimes we need extra support. If that’s where you are, I’m here to help.

Dr. Melissa Rich

Whole-Person Wellness that Honors God’s Design

https://drmelissarich.com