14. My use of spiritual disciplines does not require me to give up pleasure in my life.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

ARE THERE PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO CRITICIZE CHRISTIANITY FOR BEING “NO FUN” AND BEREFT OF PLEASURE? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?

WHAT ACTIVITIES IN YOUR LIFE CONSISTENTLY BRING YOU THE MOST JOY? DOES THIS INVOLVE ANY WORK OR EFFORT ON YOUR PART?

CAN YOU IMAGINE GOD AT A PARTY, LAUGHING, DANCING, ENJOYING GOOD FOOD AND WINE?

It is not an overstatement to say that our culture is addicted to pleasure. It may seem strong to say this, but it appears true that words like, pleasure, comfort, convenience, security, and ease appeal to us. Conversely, words like work, effort, pain, and discipline often bring negative feelings. Spiritual disciplines can be associated with negative descriptions and we often think that taking on spiritual disciplines means giving up pleasure. It is not surprising that we think this way because there is much evidence and many examples of people who practice disciplines at the expense of pleasure.

The desert fathers and mothers voluntarily gave up pleasure expressly because they believed that it would cause them to falter in their devotion to Christ. Even in our current day, there are expressions of Christianity that challenge people to give up things like marriage, money, time, autonomy, and physical conveniences.

Some of Jesus’ words also seem to imply that pleasure is a detriment to the spiritual life. For example, in Luke 8:14 He said, “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” And in Luke 9:23, He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (NIV).

But Jesus also said that He came to bring life, an abundant life. (see John 10:10). Jesus attended parties, festivals, weddings, and enjoyed wine and good food. He took time off and spent time with His friends. In the Old Testament God blessed Israel’s faithfulness with material abundance and seemed to enjoy doing so. So how do we resolve this tension between the idea that following Jesus means giving up pleasure and the verses that seem to suggest the opposite? Although we will offer some suggestions on how to resolve this tension, it might also be helpful for us to simply accept this tension as an invitation to wonder and explore and to ask Jesus Himself what His desire is for us.

There seems little doubt that the whole of Scripture portrays God as One who longs for the goodness of His creation, enjoys blessing His people, and desires that each person flourishes during their time on earth. Perhaps what we pursue as pleasure is not what really constitutes the good life.

Could it be that by desiring the kind of pleasure that the world promotes and avoiding discipline, we miss out on something better? Like the hiker who perseveres the difficult climb to reach the awe-inspiring-summit, we miss out if we give in to the challenge and choose to stop? What if our spiritual disciplines are actually what brings pleasure to our lives and without them we fail to enjoy the goodness that has been prepared for us?

Regardless of how we view or experience spiritual disciplines, we can know with confidence that Jesus desires what is truly best for us, God longs to give good gifts to us, and Spirit works tirelessly to shape us to be able to access that goodness.