Laugh Out Loud

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6

When is the last time you laughed? Was it out loud where others could hear or quietly in your heart? Was it before Covid-19 or during? Laughing out loud is the best solution to our situation right now. Don’t believe me? Try it. God is on your side; you will notice a big difference. How so?

The story of Sarah laughing is the best example and it’s found in Genesis 18:1-15. In this story, the Lord appeared to Abraham near the trees of Mamre where he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. When Abraham looked up, he saw three men standing nearby. So, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bow low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.”

Then one of them said he would surely return to them in a year and Sara, Abraham’s wife, would have a son. At this, Sarah laughed. Sarah was very old, her husband was very old, and she was past childbearing age. She exclaimed, “Will I now have this pleasure?!” But you see, she forgot something, she forgot that there is nothing too hard for the Lord. God turns things around when it seems impossible. We can trust Him and get excited, despite our situation!

I am always amazed to see a group of refugees from Burundi, Congo and Rwanda who don’t speak English, come to the United States—specifically in Stone Mountain, Georgia—worshipping the Lord in their mother tongue. Only God can make it happen using able men and women rooted in the mission and vision of the church. The reopening of our church on June 5, 2021 was another reason to celebrate God’s goodness. Do you remember how many times we postponed the reopening of the church doors? And even while we were still having our services on Zoom, God’s hand was still leading during the rough times of Covid-19. Job’s message seems appropriate in this context. Job 8:21 “He [God] will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:1-3 has another gem for us. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Whether excitements or disappointments, they are source of laughter with the Lord for as long as we live. Having a new born baby or losing one, being promoted or getting fired from your job, purchasing your dream home or becoming homeless, healing from a deadly illness or struggling with one right now, in every circumstance, God reminds us that He can still turn things around. Laughter is the best medicine. Rejoice in the Lord always. Let others be influenced by your laughter from the excitement of what God is doing in your life. Laugh out loud!