christian daily life

I enjoy life FAR more as a Christian than I ever did before I was one. Being close to God can bring joy to even the most mundane activities. And yes, Christians are allowed to have fun and enjoy life. Recreation is much more satisfying than entertainment seeking.

Some people seem to buy into a fallen world, doom and gloom type approach. For me, it's a much more positive thing, as I can look at the world and see light and life and hope as God's presence and work.

I guess having grown up as a Christian I don't really know what it's like to come to faith cold, whether it would have felt like a trial or test. Getting used to being part of a community of faith was a big adjustment, but also of enormous benefit.

As for daily life and stuff, I struggle to find time for recreation to the extent I'd like, but I think that's probably true of most working mums, so I don't think it's particularly about being a Christian.

And I think it's fine to not have all the answers to questions; it shows much more integrity to say, "I don't know, but I'll look into it," than to pretend to have everything together when you don't. People can respect that.

sabin said:

could you share what your daily life is like, do you still enjoy your daily activities and any fitness like walks, running, cycling, swimming etc..
you see as im looking at the christian path and where there's talk of deception, sin, rapture and all sorts of other things, surely that makes you a bit worried, i would hate to live like that with all the fallen world gloom and doom, that would mess you up in the head lol im trying to see how you guys carry on and if you can enjoy life abit. as far as i see the christian path for a beginner is like a trial or test, i can imagine the struggle to try and be a true christian, i feel like there would be alot of backsliding on your christian path.
im a non christian at the moment but all these thoughts are going through my mind as i follow you guys on here.

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There's a story, most likely apocryphal, that Martin Luther was once asked what he would do if he knew the world was ending tomorrow, his response was, "I would plant a tree."

The meaning here is that worrying about what tomorrow brings isn't what Christians should be doing. Christians should be living their lives. Go for a walk, smell the flowers. Enjoy the life we have been given because it is a gift. Have a beer with your friends (or if beer isn't your thing, have a Pepsi), live, laugh. Not in any frivolous sense, but in the sense that the Christian life is not a life of humdrum joyless false piety.

In Lutheranism we talk about understanding our Christian spirituality through our vocation. Vocation here really and quite simply means our mundane, regular, daily existence. Our vocations as friends, children, parents, siblings, or as employers, employees. Our vocation as doctors, lawyers, ditch diggers, office workers, shoe makers, et al. Wherever we are in life, and whatever our current situation, Christian life is found here: Trusting in Jesus, loving our neighbor, being kind.

Christian spirituality is not some "higher" thing, as though one has to be a monk to live the Christian life. The religious life is the secular life. The life we live in faith in Jesus is found here in the ordinary, the mundane. We hear God's word, we receive the Sacraments, we celebrate God's gifts, we are found in the world as people living, loving, serving.

We can recognize that this life is a cross, because there is suffering and hardship here. But that isn't about denying joy, denying living; but instead about confessing our hope and living our faith in the world. It means that if our neighbor is hungry, give them food, if they are thirsty give them drink. Comfort those who are grieving. Weep with those who weep, laugh with those who laugh.

-CryptoLutheran

sabin said:

could you share what your daily life is like, do you still enjoy your daily activities and any fitness like walks, running, cycling, swimming etc..
you see as im looking at the christian path and where there's talk of deception, sin, rapture and all sorts of other things, surely that makes you a bit worried, i would hate to live like that with all the fallen world gloom and doom, that would mess you up in the head lol im trying to see how you guys carry on and if you can enjoy life abit. as far as i see the christian path for a beginner is like a trial or test, i can imagine the struggle to try and be a true christian, i feel like there would be alot of backsliding on your christian path.
im a non christian at the moment but all these thoughts are going through my mind as i follow you guys on here.

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I have to say that I enjoyed life a lot more once I quit being a Christian. And I came from a rather liberal form of Christianity. I can only imagine the oppression that happens in the more conservative forms of the religion.

I think I'm more unusual than most in that I rejected the religion and not the teachings of Jesus. I view them as two completely separate things. IMMHO, the teachings of Jesus...regardless of who He was...are spot on. Treating others in the way I would want to be treated, lifting others up and putting them before me, wanting the best for others no matter who they are and just being a generally nice person has worked for me for half a century.

Again, IMMHO, it is Jesus' teachings which are missing in the religion and that causes all the depression and bad experiences so many have with Christianity.

sabin said:

hi what is 'immho' ? thanks for your reply though.

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Sorry, it is Internet slang for "In My Most Humble Opinion".

zephcom said:

Sorry, it is Internet slang for "In My Most Humble Opinion".

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sabin said:

hi what is 'immho' ? thanks for your reply though.

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More typically, IMHO -- In My Humble Opinion.

Sometime IMNSHO or IMnsHO where NS is "not so".

sabin said:

could you share what your daily life is like, do you still enjoy your daily activities and any fitness like walks, running, cycling, swimming etc..
you see as im looking at the christian path and where there's talk of deception, sin, rapture and all sorts of other things, surely that makes you a bit worried, i would hate to live like that with all the fallen world gloom and doom, that would mess you up in the head lol im trying to see how you guys carry on and if you can enjoy life abit. as far as i see the christian path for a beginner is like a trial or test, i can imagine the struggle to try and be a true christian, i feel like there would be alot of backsliding on your christian path.
im a non christian at the moment but all these thoughts are going through my mind as i follow you guys on here.

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Personally I think it's odd being a Christian. I'm not miserable or anything, far from it. A lot of the time though I feel it's a battle. Daily we have to make the right choices I find.

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

I do somtimes think "it was so much easier before". Ultimately, I would not change being a Christian for anything. Christianity is supposed to cost us things. Some people want it to cost them nothing though. I'm also not complaining just trying to be honest.

I still have "fun" and I exercise etc but I feel like everything matters so much more now and it can sometimes feel a bit weighty. I hope my answer helped.