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‘The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot’ Augustine of Hippo www.rhythmsofgrace/spirit-led-recreation/rhythm-of-play Click to Tweet |
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PLAYING WITH GOD
Laced through scripture are enticing images of creation at play:
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The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
[Psalm 114:4 KJV] Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; [Psalm 98:7-8] |
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy…
…The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with corn; they shout for joy and sing.
[Psalm 65]
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth...
When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
[Job 38:4, 7]
you call forth songs of joy…
…The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with corn; they shout for joy and sing.
[Psalm 65]
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth...
When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
[Job 38:4, 7]
Play is often thought of as the province of children—and animals; for adults it is often regarded as a distraction, an unnecessary frivolity in the serious business of living. But maybe taking time to play can open a door to a grace-filled encounter?
PLAY THROUGH THE BIBLE
The Bible suggests it might. The word sachaq which is often translated ‘laugh’ in the Hebrew, can also be translated as ‘play, sport, jest, sing, dance and play instrumental music’.
Sachaq is joy lived out. The word is used in a number of familiar verses: About the role of Wisdom in creation—‘playing with God’ …
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Then I was constantly at His side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in His presence,
rejoicing in His whole world
and delighting in the human race.
[Proverbs 8:30,31]
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in His presence,
rejoicing in His whole world
and delighting in the human race.
[Proverbs 8:30,31]
And in the account of David celebrating before the Ark…
As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window.
And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.
David said to Michal,
‘It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house
when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel – I will celebrate before the Lord.
[2 Samuel 6:16,21]
And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.
David said to Michal,
‘It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house
when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel – I will celebrate before the Lord.
[2 Samuel 6:16,21]
In describing the ‘Proverbs Woman’:
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
[Proverbs 31:25]
[Proverbs 31:25]
And in Ecclesiastes’ amazing pronouncement on ‘time’:
There is a time for everything…
…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time for dancing
[Ecclesiastes 3:4]
…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time for dancing
[Ecclesiastes 3:4]
Take a moment or two to substitute the alternative words in each of the verses…
The concept of play as a joyous response to the blessings showered upon us is thoroughly biblical; and when inspired by the Holy Spirit, is a beautiful and natural life-rhythm which rises out of a heart at rest—and provides another way of expressing worship.
The concept of play as a joyous response to the blessings showered upon us is thoroughly biblical; and when inspired by the Holy Spirit, is a beautiful and natural life-rhythm which rises out of a heart at rest—and provides another way of expressing worship.
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A JOYFUL RESPONSE
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Chaim Ben Torah Biblical Hebrew Studies have a great article on the use of sachaq (translated ‘laughter’) in relation to the birth of Isaac [Genesis 18: 14-18].
They break down the word sachaq as follows. ‘It is spelled (with the Hebrew letters) Sade, Chet, and Quf. The Sade shows humility and submission to God. The Chet shows a joining with God and the Quf represents a new beginning with God. ‘ They come to the conclusion that ‘sachaq’ is the joyful response to something wonderful coming from the heart of God. |
As ‘sachaq’ can equally be translated as play, we could say that true Spirit-filled play is a response to the very heart of God who pours out His provision on us.
CELEBRATE THE MESSIAH
Creation’s riotous celebration, laughter and joy is depicted as having its fullest expression in response to the Messiah. The revelation of the Christ releases a celebration unknown since the foundation of the earth—a celebration which will have its complete fulfilment in the age to come, but starts in the here and now.
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Isaiah 35 says it all…
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy… …Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. [Isaiah 35:1-2, 5-7] |
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And Jeremiah uses that word, sachaq, again…
I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place.
From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honour, and they will not be disdained.
[Jeremiah 30:18,19]
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
and the palace will stand in its proper place.
From them will come songs of thanksgiving
and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honour, and they will not be disdained.
[Jeremiah 30:18,19]
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Malachi uses another playful term, pûwsh, meaning to ‘spring about’, or ‘frisk’:
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.
And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. [Malachi 4:2 NKJV] |
ASLAN’S ROARThere is a wonderful passage in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe that comes after Aslan is restored to life:
“Oh, children,” said the Lion, “I feel my strength coming back to me. Oh, children, catch me if you can!” He stood for a second, his eyes very bright, his limbs quivering, lashing himself with his tail. Then he made a leap high over their heads and landed on the other side of the Table. Laughing, though she didn’t know why, Lucy scrambled over it to reach him. Aslan leaped again. |
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A mad chase began. Round and round the hill-top he led them, now hopelessly out of their reach, now letting them almost catch his tail, now diving between them, now tossing them in the air with his huge and beautifully velveted paws and catching them again, and now stopping unexpectedly so that all three of them rolled over together in a happy laughing heap of fur and arms and legs.
It was such a romp as no one has ever had in Narnia; and whether it was more like playing with a thunderstorm or playing with a kitten Lucy could never make up her mind. And the funny thing was then when all three finally lay together panting in the sun the girls no longer felt in the least tired or hungry or thirsty.
“And now,” said Aslan presently, “to business. I feel I am going to roar. You had better put your fingers in your ears.”
And they did. And Aslan stood up and when he opened his mouth to roar his face became so terrible that they did not dare look at it…
It is interesting that Lewis put the romp before the roar…
And they did. And Aslan stood up and when he opened his mouth to roar his face became so terrible that they did not dare look at it…
It is interesting that Lewis put the romp before the roar…
This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
[Nehemiah 8:10]
[Nehemiah 8:10]
THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL
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Resurrection life equals unsurpassed joy. Resurrection life equals the freedom to live the life you were destined for. Resurrection life flows from inside-out.
Christians have frequently squashed this resurrection life down, feeling a sombre life of self-sacrifice is what is required; and have often been shoe-horned into programmes and practices which demonstrate ‘devotion’ but steal their joy. And yet joy is one of the manifestations of the Kingdom. We of all people should be the most ‘alive’, brimming over with exuberance and celebration. |
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Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
[Luke 2:10]
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.
[John 10:10 NKJV]
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
[John 7:28]
I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.
[John 15:11]
[Luke 2:10]
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.
[John 10:10 NKJV]
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
[John 7:28]
I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.
[John 15:11]
Jesus declared that the ‘Year of the Lord’s Favour’ had arrived with Him [Luke 4:19]; this was the fulfilment of the ‘Year of Jubilee’ enshrined in the Law [Leviticus 25); a year marked by freedom and celebration. Let’s follow His lead by declaring ‘Jubilee’ over our lives and circumstances; and let our jubilee ‘leak’ over everyone round us. There is a world out there which is thirsty for life, not a list of requirements. Spirit-filled play is one way in which that resurrection life is allowed to flow.
BE LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN
Jesus said we were to 'become like children' (childlike, not childish):
I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned,
and revealed them to little children.
[Matthew 11.25]
and revealed them to little children.
[Matthew 11.25]
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Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 19:14] But Jesus called the children to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ [Luke 18:15-17] |
Little children are simple and trusting in their faith. And little children (and animals) play…
7 CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN’S PLAY
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- Full of Wonder: have you ever watched a child lost in wonder; entranced by beauty, mystery or the way something works?
- In the moment: children at play have the ability to be fully centred in the present; when all their faculties are focused on the delight of being alive right now.
- Just for Joy: so much of children’s play is for the sheer pleasure of doing. There may not be any other purpose or expected end, other than the delight of the selected action.
We have so much to learn; let’s throw off our adult strait-jackets, and let the joy of the Lord out! Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to cause resurrection life to well up in us and overflow. Of course, there isn't a-one-size-fits-all expression of Spirit-filled play. Just as play varies for children, vibrancy manifests in different ways, according to personality and interests.
And, as we allow the Holy Spirit to add His sparkle to that unique expression of life in us, we become what others need—just by being ourselves. To take a comparison from nature, the vital energy of a large breaker crashing onto a beach, brings joy to the heart of a dedicated surfer; but equally the sight of a vigorous mountain spring will delight the thirsty hiker.
The important thing is that the 'alleluia' (see Augustine's quote at the top of the page) is being expressed. The world needs Christians who can point the way to abundant life, not a list of rules.
And, as we allow the Holy Spirit to add His sparkle to that unique expression of life in us, we become what others need—just by being ourselves. To take a comparison from nature, the vital energy of a large breaker crashing onto a beach, brings joy to the heart of a dedicated surfer; but equally the sight of a vigorous mountain spring will delight the thirsty hiker.
The important thing is that the 'alleluia' (see Augustine's quote at the top of the page) is being expressed. The world needs Christians who can point the way to abundant life, not a list of rules.
*RHYTHMS OF GRACE:
HEAR & RESPOND to the voice of God
It would be easy, at this point, to give an inspirational list—ideas to encourage the rhythm of play. However, this expression of life needs to start on the inside, and flow from inside-out. So instead, I encourage you to reflect, listen and respond to the Holy Spirit:
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
It would be easy, at this point, to give an inspirational list—ideas to encourage the rhythm of play. However, this expression of life needs to start on the inside, and flow from inside-out. So instead, I encourage you to reflect, listen and respond to the Holy Spirit:
- Get very quiet inside, and turn your heart towards the Lord.
- Reflect on this page; meditate on the photos and ponder the characteristics of children’s play.
- Then ask the Lord to lead you into play that is a joyous response to His heart, and His blessings—and importantly, a response which is uniquely yours.
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
THE RHYTHM OF MEALTIMES
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Check out the next page, by clicking on the picture...
SPIRIT-LED BREATHING SPACES: THE RHYTHM OF MEALTIMES |
RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST
[Photo credits: Nik Shuliahin (person cartwheeling); Matt Jones (dogs playing); Debby Hudson (girls in sea); Frank Busch (woman laughing); Alex Alvarez (girl with bubbles); Andre Hunter (boy leaping in street); Kelli McClintock (person on beach); Noah Silliman (girl on swing); Brianna Reak (lions); Zachary Nelson (3 people leaping in snow); Mi Pham (child under water spray); Robert Collins (children playing with ball) @ Unsplash, with thanks]