Laughing is great. I mean let’s be honest, it’s one of the best gifts God gave us. I could not imagine a world where happiness and humor could not be expressed through laughing. Some of my favorite memories in life involve me and my friends or family doubled over in laughter. But, did God intend for laughter to simply be a gift to be enjoyed amongst ourselves for our own pleasure or is it somehow in addition supposed to bring glory to God Himself?
I would venture to say that laughter and the ability to laugh was in fact purposefully created and intended by God to glorify Himself. I will be quick to admit that there is not any verse in the Bible that specifically mentions laughter, however, the Bible is clear about the overflow of joy that comes from the Lord.
“Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (Luke 6:22-23)
“You received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1Thessalonians 1:6)
“The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17)
Scripture paints a clear picture. Joy comes from God. When we encounter Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit we cannot help but desire to be overfilled with His joy. Even when we face hardships Paul tells his readers to take joy knowing that these hardships are for our own growth and purification so that one day we may be presented as the bride of Christ without blemish.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4)
“and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27)
The joy we choose to receive and express from the Lord is an amazing gift that ultimately brings glory to God. So how do we express this breathtaking joy? I believe their are many ways, however, one of my favorite ways is through laughter.
My team has been in Ternopil, Ukraine for about a week now, and there has already been plenty of moments filled with laughter. I am so blessed to have a team that loves to laugh.
One of my favorite things to laugh at is myself. I think there is an art to truly appreciating laughing at oneself. The first Sunday at the church, where our host is a student pastor at, we were asked to sing a couple songs during service. For those who do not know, I am an awful singer! So it was perfect! While singing, the thought kept coming to mind of the current situation. “I am a terrible singer singing in front of a Ukrainian congregation that doesn’t understand a bit of English”. On top of that multiple people were recording us. It was hilarious! I couldn’t help but laugh multiple times during our singing.
That is just one example of the already many laughs I have had so far. But I think the best one yet was when we as a team were walking back to our apartment. I tripped on a rock that was sticking out of the ground, which was already funny in and of itself. Danny, our squad leader who is staying with our team this month, greatly enjoyed watching me trip as he laughed at what I just did. But then, not even 10 seconds later he stubbed his toe on the exact same rock. Except he stubbed it so bad the corner of his toenail broke off and his toe started bleeding! There was a small pool of blood in his flip flop! I died laughing, I mean it was honestly hard to breathe! Thankfully Danny was alright and he is the type of person that also enjoys a good laugh at himself.
Sometimes it is hard to find words to describe the incredible joy that comes from the Lord, thankfully He created laughter to express this breathtaking joy. I encourage you, the next time you find yourself bursting out laughing, remember how great our God is. And through this satisfaction in the Lord He will be glorified.
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”.
– John Piper
“Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4)
