Do You Enjoy It?

If someone asks us why we are sports fans, or why we watch sports, there may be specific reasons for each of us. But the one common answer would have to be, “I enjoy watching sports.” 

We especially enjoy watching our favorite teams win, and we are absolutely delighted when they reach the championship. As Spurs and Knicks fans prepare for the NBA Finals, they are relishing their teams' greatness.

It’s been a tough road over the years for Knicks fans, but they’ve had a good time watching their team dominate in these playoffs. An article on ESPN.com has a headline that reads, “Knicks Fans Savoring Record Run to First NBA Finals Since 1999.”

The article points out, “The Knicks have outscored Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland by a combined 262 points during their playoff winning streak, the largest margin in any 11-game span in NBA history.”

Meanwhile, Spurs fans have enjoyed this new era of basketball led by a young core of recent draft picks, highlighted by superstar Victor Wembanyama. They also enjoy celebrating after big playoff wins with their “Let’s Go Honking” tradition, where they drive around the city blasting their car horns!

Of course, fans of both teams have appreciated the wins and found satisfaction in the way they play on the court, but they also love how passionate the players are and how much they enjoy playing together.

Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox commented earlier this season, "We enjoy playing together. We enjoy seeing each other succeed, so that makes sharing the ball much easier." 

Knicks players are the same way, especially with three key players being former Villanova teammates who have now found success together at both levels and enjoy competing together. 

It’s amazing how well a team plays when they enjoy each other and how strong a player is when he actually enjoys the game of basketball, instead of just going through the motions or being out there for the money. The Knicks and Spurs have players who truly appear to experience joy from basketball.

There is great anticipation for this year's NBA Finals matchup between these two teams, driven by the storylines and stars involved. Both fan bases are soaking it in, but it should be entertaining and competitive for all sports fans.

As we watch from home, we should prepare to enjoy and savor it, too.

The word enjoy means to take delight, pleasure, or satisfaction in doing or experiencing something. Most of us reading this today enjoy sports, but the question is, are our lives filled with enjoyment?

Are we enjoying the people around us, the blessings God has given us, His calling on our lives, and, most importantly, enjoying God for who He is and the fellowship He invites us to have with Him?

Are we passionate about delighting in God, enjoying a deep personal relationship with Jesus, and is it our pleasure to serve Him, obey Him, and know His Word?

Or are we just going through the motions and lacking the true satisfaction and enjoyment of a faithful life committed to His honor and glory?

Psalm 40:8 (AMP) declares, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 100:2 (ESV) encourages us to “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!”

When it comes to other relationships and friendships, do we resonate with the Knicks and Spurs because we enjoy “playing together” and we have a good time with others as we savor meaningful community? Or do we need to make some changes for that to be the case?

Author Erwin McManus writes in his book Wide Awake, “You will not enjoy life at its richest level until you learn how to have deep, meaningful relationships, because life is enjoyed best with people.”

I totally agree with that, but it requires us to be intentional about delighting in others, enjoying people, and sharing our lives with them.

Paul describes this as he writes to his community and the church in Thessalonica: “Having such a deep affection for you, we were delighted to share with you not only God’s good news but also our own lives, because you had become so very dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8; AMP).

Another way to explain the word "enjoy" is to experience something with joy. People, life, and God's blessings are meant to be enjoyed or experienced with joy…but also with God.

We can’t fully enjoy anything without Him, and those things can actually help us savor, relish, and appreciate Him more if we keep the proper perspective. We have to be careful not to get caught up in the things of this world as the ultimate source of satisfaction, but we can enjoy what God has given us. 

1 Timothy 6:17 (AMP) says, “As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

God has been so good to us, so let’s be filled with the joy that comes from living with Him moment by moment, aware of His presence. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, so to enjoy each day thoroughly is to live by the Spirit.

When we have joy, we also have strength, as it says in Nehemiah 8:10 “...for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 

Erwin McManus writes in response to that verse: “The more you enjoy God and enjoy the life He calls you into, the stronger you will be. To enjoy life is a sacred act of worship.”

Today, let's examine our hearts and lives and identify where we lack enjoyment and are just going through the motions, marked by negativity, dissatisfaction, and a lack of passion or gratitude.

Let's turn our eyes to God, savor His goodness, relish His blessings, appreciate His greatness, and enjoy genuine fellowship with Jesus, who has saved us and given us the abundant life through His death and resurrection.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to enjoy knowing You, delighting in You, and savoring the fellowship I have with You. Help me also to enjoy people, blessings, and life each day as Your Spirit fills me with joy. I appreciate Your goodness and relish in Your greatness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.