Amusements

Today is World Theater Day. It was inaugurated in 1961 by the International Theater Institute and has been celebrated on March 27 ever since.

In his inaugural message for the 1962 celebration, Jean Cocteau suggested that the theater breeds the paradox that, as time goes on, history becomes deformed, and mythology becomes established. To him, a good playwright should produce “a collective hypnotism” on an audience with “an almost childlike credulity.” While this celebration tries to highlight the cultural value and importance of theatrical art, we as Christians should reflect on the broad spectrum of amusement and recreation.

Many people see religion just as a nice spiritual activity limited to the weekly time spent in a church building. But for real Christians, religion is continuous and is a commitment to Christ that cannot be restricted to any specific time or place.

If we have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), we will never go to any offensive place of which Christ would not approve or expose ourselves to anything that would banish Christ from our minds. Rather, we will fill our minds continuously with whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute (Philippians 4:8).

We will set nothing wicked before our eyes, and he who tells lies will not be allowed to stay in our presence (Psalm 114:16, 20).

As human beings (and not machines), we occasionally need to set aside our exhausting routines and spend time in relaxation and recreation.

Even Christ invited His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 19:44, NIV). But there is a significant contrast between stimulating worldly amusements and refreshing Christian recreation.

Paul advises us, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). So, consider today how you are spending your free time and how you could bring it closer to God’s ideal for your life.