According to Erwin McManus, to enjoy life is a sacred act of worship. At first I didn’t agree with that statement, I was too caught up in building businesses, raising a family and trying to be “spiritual.” Enjoying life was something you got to do after…. After the kids were raised, after the business matured or sold, after we had “X” amount in the bank.
Sure, I had my moments of enjoyment, our yearly weddings and honeymoons were always at the top of the list. We had our special times with the kids as well, but the simple truth is, I was living life but not fully enjoying life. Until I learned that the road to heaven, is heaven, and if you can’t honestly say that, then it’s time to change.
Disney recently put out the movie Christopher Robin, which is a must see. It stars Ewan McGregor as a grown up Christopher Robin who has let the cares of the world distract him from being the father and husband he really wants to be. In one special scene Christoper explains to his wife he can’t go on their planned vacation, because he has to work. Like everyone caught up the cares of the world, he tries to explain that work is very important for their future life together. To this his wife responds, “Your life is happening right now, in front of you and your missing it.” As an entrepreneur it’s too easy to focus on the great future we’re building and we forget to enjoy our life right now. Don’t wait until you have grand kids to get perspective, get it now.
It wasn’t until I really started digging into the scriptures that I was able to embrace the truth that truly enjoying my life, living it to the full and being grateful for it was an act of worship. Nehemiah 8:10 says: The Joy of the Lord is your strength. Did you get that key word, JOY! As in, enjoy. He also said strength, as in all your power will come from the joy of the Lord. You can be driven and joyful at the same time, you can be goal oriented and joyful at the same time, you can be committed and joyful at the same time. You can build a successful family but only with joy!
To be fully transparent, there was a part of me that didn’t think it was ok or “spiritual” to enjoy life. But the more I read and asked God for guidance the more He opened my eyes to want He wanted for me. In John 10:10 it says: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Wow, what a great phrase, life to full! Not half, not 3/4 but to the full.
So what does life to the full look like? It’s living the Gold Life, thriving in your health, your relationships, your finances and your spiritual walk. In order to go from your “old” life to the “Gold Life” the first thing is to drop in a capital “G” in front of old and truly put God first. Yes you really can have life to the full, in fact it’s how it’s suppose to be with God and it all starts with enjoying the now.
As Christopher Robin & Pooh himself once said:
“What day is it?” “It’s today.” “Oh, my favorite day.”
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24
The Daily Beast 
