Today’s author is Prince of Peace Member, Deb Cordes.
I love to laugh. Last week, I had the chance to see Lakeshore’s production of Noises Off. It was one of the funniest, well-produced shows I’ve been to recently. I laughed until the tears were in my eyes. Then the audience behind me started to gawfaw!! I felt the great belly laugh starting and it lasted through most of the show. Boy, it felt good. I mean really good to have the abandonment that humor can provide. At the end of the show, I was relaxed. The world was in good order. For those few moments, all my worries and cares were simply held in abeyance by lightness and laughter.
God wants us to be happy and content but not complacent. He wants us to laugh. Think of all the good things He built into our body due to laughter. Laughter is catchy. Laughter releases endorphins that promote a sense of well-being and release stress. It decreases anger and it eases distressing emotions. It is a pain reliever by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. It improves personal satisfaction. (Mayo Clinic)
In the teachings of Jesus, I also hear His humor. The Good Samaritan: Can’t you hear just a bit of a jab at the power elite? Something those listening might cause a smile. “What! One of those most holy?” Do the throngs snigger just a bit? The story is a great leveler of the classes. Can’t you image it, too?
When He calls the little children to Him, do you think they’d willingly come to someone sober and somber? I doubt it. I can envision him (as you see in the Sparks Bible pictures) with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. They come to him because of his gentle spirit and lovingness and that zest for life.
He gave us the capacity to laugh silently or loudly. To be happy, if even just for a moment, while seeing the sunset. A smile touches our faces those memories of happy times. We, in our joy are exclaiming the goodness he provided. The humor of our favorite jokes, comedians or books.
Lent is fast approaching. That time of preparing and confessing our sins as we wait for Easter joy. It is with a smile on my face today, I pray:
Lord, thank you for the gift of laugher, joy and happiness. Thank you for a belly laugh, the chuckle, the smile and the abandonment in that moment. It is with happiness, I move to serve You and Your people. Thank you.