To “muse” is to reflect, ponder or otherwise be absorbed in thought. Conversely, a-muse is to “divert the attention, beguile, delude” according to the Etymology Dictionary. That is to say that amusement is the absence of thinking. The sad truth is that one of the easiest ways to gain the attention of groups is to amuse them. Children repeatedly do silly things to amuse others when they see that it works. As people get older their amusement methods become more sophisticated, but in the end it’s still just a “look at me” tactic.
The opposite of being amused is to think seriously. Legitimate, meaningful reflection can be difficult and even unappealing. However, Scripture reveals that being solemn is preferable to being frivolous. The Bible teaches that you should not be quite so quick to “turn that frown upside down.”
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. (Ecc. 7:2–4)
How can this be? Why would God want you to be sad? Well, that’s not really what it says. It is not that God wants you to be melancholy, but that He wants the results that are more likely to come during sadness than from being blissfully carefree. During times of grief people “lay things to heart.” They become introspective and, therefore, think about matters of ultimate consequence. The “house of mirth,” however, is filled with the “heart of fools.” It’s under these circumstances that thoughtfulness is scarcest.
Daniel 5 records the efforts to which King Belshazzar went to amuse his guests. He provided a wine-flowing feast to a thousand partygoers. It was in that context that the foolish decision was made to mockingly use the temple dishes for the party. In jubilation they made use of the temple’s golden vessels as they praised the “gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.” The mood was dramatically dampened when the sudden “handwriting on the wall” decreed the end of the king.
Not every celebratory event involves decisions that end in death, but the likelihood of soul-searching taking place at them is nil. The pleasure experienced at a party is always temporary. The world’s answer is to just find another party, but the Bible says you’re better served to be more soberminded. Meditating on things of eternal consequence is time well spent.
Consider the Prodigal Son. He lived a temporary life of revelry and “reckless living.” It was not until he found himself in a kind of house of mourning that smelled of swine that he “came to himself,” and realized that he had sinned against heaven and his father. It is immediately apparent that the temporary pleasure found in partying does not compare with the lasting joy of being reconciled to the Father. Therefore, the misery of being destitute is the best gift the son could have received when it became the grounds for his reflection.
Everyone enjoys being amused, but do you seek mindless activities out at the expense of weightier, more serious ones? Do TV shows, internet videos or video games regularly displace time spent in Bible reading and prayer? Do you engage others in meaningful, serious conversations that build them up according to their need? In addition to rejoicing with those that rejoice, do you mourn with those that mourn?
It takes effort and humility to engage in serious thinking and humorless conversation, but that is exactly where the heart of the wise can be found. Earnestly consider where you make a habit of seeking amusement at the expense of godly, solemn thoughtfulness. Ask God to help you make a habit of thinking and acting seriously. Why so serious? Because the Lord has promised to turn your sorrow into gladness! And the gladness He gives is better than any temporary amusement.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:13)