Were we born to play?

"Were we born to play? Were we born to frolic?"

This passage, reminiscent of the modern style of Heian period Japanese poetry, is charming yet contains a profound question.

I wonder if humans were born to play.

The Bible says:

God deemed creation "good."

The world did not begin with obligation.

It started with joy.

Today, while steaming black beans, I gazed at the rising steam.

When you dip purple turnips in sweet vinegar, their color becomes instantly more vibrant.

The leaves dropped into the pork soup swayed gently.

It's just a dinner table at home, not meant to be shown to anyone.

Even so, there are moments when your heart softens.

If man were created solely for the purpose of toil,

Could God have bestowed such colors and fragrances upon us?

Playfulness is not about forgetting God.

Rather, smile with confidence in his presence.

The Lord will come soon.

The Kingdom will be completed.

With that promise in mind,

Today, too, is a stepping stone to eternity.

Were humans born to play?

No, to participate in God's joy.

Playfulness is the quiet shadow of the Kingdom.

立ちのぼる湯気の向こうに、創造の光がひらく。