Ecclesiastes 2:2 “Laughter,” I
said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?”
I like to laugh. A funny joke,
amusing story, or some old-fashioned silent slapstick movie usually have me
creasing with laughter. I also love being in the company of family and friends,
when we share funny stories, do daft things, and tell corny jokes. Even during
some intense and awful moments in my life, laughter helped to heal my pain. The
Bible tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22); I can
think of no better way to create a cheerful heart than what is produced by
laughing.
Sometimes, when I read the Book of
Ecclesiastes, I get the feeling that the writer missed out on life by not being
able to loosen up, lighten his spirit, and laugh at himself. He comes across as
serious and somber as Hamlet or Macbeth in a Shakespearean play. I wish that he
had learned the secret of happiness – to be content with what he had and to
enjoy the life God had given him. Perhaps if he had, then Ecclesiastes might
have been a brighter book instead of being a torturous tome at times.
As we embrace a New Year, perhaps we
should seek to follow a new mantra:
Live well, Love
truly, and Laugh often. J
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to laugh at
ourselves frequently, so that we can truly learn to love life. Allow us to
enjoy the company of others – our families, our friends, and our church folks.
May we show our faith in You by sharing joy and laughter each day. In Your Holy
Name, we laugh and pray. Amen.
John
Stuart is the pastor of Erin
Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to respond
to this message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.
Today’s
image is one of John’s cartoons. If you would like to view a larger version,
please click this link: Wise Men.
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