Laughter is better than fun. It's a gift from God.
Certainly, we should thank God regularly for a sense of
and a love for humor.
We know laughter is from God because
children learn how to do it so quickly. Children love to laugh, and God loves children.
Laughter is a great weight loss mechanism. A hundred good kackles
burns the same number of calories as 15 minutes on a stationary bike.
Sarah, a very old woman who never rode an exercise bike and who God wanted to
have a baby, declared in Genesis 21:6, "God
has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me."
Sarah knew how to
rejoice.
When God brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, they sang, "We
were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy."
And the other nations said, "What amazing things the Lord has done for them."
"Laughter is silly," said Solomon, one of history's wisest men. And laughter as part of a pleasure-seeking life is
pretty silly.
But as part of a loving life,
composer Gilbert M. Martin in "The Jesus Gift" claims laughter is one of our greatest gifts to our Lord:
"Give him laughter, bring peace-filled laughter, Offer him simple warm
laughter and love."
It's pretty simple. Laughter makes us
feel giddy, a condition conducive to rejoicing.
On the down days when it's hard or even impossible to laugh, remembering the good times, the times of laughter,
offers us hope. Even through Job was ready to hang it all up, Bildad the Shuhite offered hope: "God will once again fill your mouth with laughter and
your lips with shouts of joy."
Laughter and joy seem
to go together
Jesus said not to borrow troubles from tomorrow,
but instead to borrow hope and joy from seeking the Kingdom of God.
The Christian walk is a
joyful one.
There is plenty in life to smile and laugh about.
A forgiven
man, like a child, is quick
to smile, and quick to lift up others. He is hopeful and confident, and
always on the brink of rejoicing.
Laugh often, thank God for
laughter, and remember how good it feels. The joyful memories, and the hope such memories offer, may just help get you through
the next bad day.
