It is altogether fitting and proper that we should enjoy things made for us to enjoy. What is not at all fitting or proper is that we should set our hearts on them. Temporal things must be treated as temporal things - received, given thanks for, offered back, but enjoyed. They must not be treated like eternal things.
In her book, "Discipline: The Glad Surrender," Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the importance of enjoying the blessings and pleasures that life offers. She argues that while it is entirely appropriate to appreciate and take joy in the things created for our enjoyment, we must remember their temporary nature. These experiences should be welcomed with gratitude and enjoyed without becoming overly attached to them.
Elliot warns against the temptation to prioritize temporary pleasures as if they held eternal significance. Instead, she encourages a balanced perspective that acknowledges the fleeting nature of worldly joys. By recognizing their transitory status, we can appreciate them fully while remaining grounded in what truly matters, thus fostering a healthier relationship with our desires and the material world.
