what's the difference

the creation is good, and we're meant to enjoy life and the gifts therein. savoring food, music, people, playing in the natural playgrounds of the world, and experiencing different cultures. what then is the difference between that and epicureanism or hedonism? could it be that we are meant to enjoy all that life has to offer but we need to seek the way of love first and foremost, to have love spring from within us. could it be that if we were meant for that, then we must travel into the dark places of our souls seeking healing and redemption that we might more fully understand love and healing. it is easy to busy our lives in enjoyment of what is around us, but if we do that at the neglect of broken relationships in our lives or ignored wounds then we can only enjoy so much and at moments when we least expect it those shadows will appear and send us spiraling. it's a matter of balance and tension and how we order our lives, are we spending time that allows our Father to speak into our hearts? do we have people close to us that will look us in the eye and say "what are you doing?", speaking truth that redemption might further its process.

we need others seeking love in the way of Jesus to input into our lives, and share time, that iron may sharpen iron for without love we are merely a resounding gong or clanging symbol. come now child away.