Sometimes, we smile and think.
Other times, we laugh ‘till it helps
by LeRoy the Tramp
Kingdom Klowns of Iowa
Did Jesus laugh?
Does God?
Laughter isn’t mentioned often in the Bible. But it’s there: “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh.” – Ecclesiastes 3:4
And, “The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.” – Psalms 2:4.
Also, “but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows that their day is coming.”
- Psalms 37:13.
So, while the Bible isn’t a collection of funny stories, there is at least some reference to laughter. Jesus, who almost had to be easily approachable – especially to children - likely had an easygoing manner in order to be the great teacher that He was.
Laughter – possibly derisive at first - was likely when God promised Abraham that he and Sarah would have a son. Abraham was 100 years old at the time.
And if you doubt that God has a sense of humor, just look around you, at all the different kinds of animals and people He has made!
Does humor belong in church?
I’ll do the Fox News thing here: I’ll report, and you decide.
What any good leader tries to reveal during a worship service is, simply, the truth.
God’s truth.
Occasional wit or humor, which is incidental to the seriousness of the purpose, can be a very effective tool in uncovering the truth.
The humor should not be biting or cutting, or at someone’s expense.
The humor used should cause a smile to ripple lightly through a congregation, the way tall grass waves in a field during a gentle summer breeze.
That kind of humor can unify an audience.
For a moment, it can knock down the stubborn way we guard our minds – and open the way for Biblical truth – if that truth can be delivered quickly, while the guards are still down.
If smiles in the aisles are induced, a Biblical truth should be the next delivery.
If a church service leader can establish with the congregation that he or she has similar passions, a relationship is being nurtured over which truths can pass more freely.
Have you decided yet?
God gave us His gift of laughter and it’s important that we use it to His glory. And in daily life, there certainly are many opportunities.
Laughter is a stress-buster. Laughter is exercise. It fills our lungs and bodies with oxygen. It clears our lungs and breathing passages. It sends a concoction of chemicals and hormones into our systems that have positive effects.
Our endorphins get up and start marching around, shouting, “Thank You, Lord!”
Blood pressure drops. Depression is lifted or at least temporarily muted. Pain is temporarily deadened. The immune system is enhanced.
This is from Proverbs 17:22 – “A happy heart is like good medicine.”
Ah, but there’s trouble. All too often, we have just an ordinary day.
Studies have shown that over several generations, adults, who once averaged more than 20 minutes a day in laughter, are down to five minutes.
It’s kind of like global warming in reverse. Humans aren’t getting hotter. They’re getting colder.
Starting in the 30’s with radio and continuing through the 60s with TV, Americans planned their days around programs featuring names like Skelton, Benny, Burns & Allen, Berle, Gleason. . .and Hope.
Now we’ve got hundreds of choices, literally. Not many of them bring much hope.
We can laugh at ourselves and with each other, though.
If we just will.
LeRoy the Tramp is Keith Brake of Montezuma.
LuLu and LeRoy, the Kingdom Klowns of Iowa
www.clownsiniowa.com