Learning to Laugh

I came across a wonderful verse of Scripture in my studies that I have often overlooked in its significance. Responding to the religious leaders who so maliciously criticized Him, Jesus retorted, “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:34). Jesus was maligned because He always enjoyed a good party. He laughed, He enjoyed good meals, and even children (who can spot a somber adult a mile away) wanted to be around Jesus. While their accusations were exaggerated (Jesus was no glutton or drunk), even His opponents could not deny that Jesus’ ministry was marked by celebration. And He was always inviting others to the party. Religious legalism and self-righteous pride turn up a nose at such notions. But not Jesus. While He was also “despised and rejected…a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3), One who would bear the wrath of God on the cross for sinners, His ministry was associated with great joy (Luke 6:21).

So, while I cannot deny that we are living in very serious times, let us not folly by taking ourselves too seriously. We may be weighted down with much care, yet none in this life should be more familiar with joy than believers. Let us take our calling very seriously. Let us be appropriate in the timing and the context of our joking. But let us not put aside that for which Jesus was so well-known…laughter!

That stated, it is my prayer that the following story will bring a pause to your serious for at least a moment and remind you of the joy of the Lord.

A minister concluded that his church was getting into serious financial troubles. While checking the church storeroom, he discovered several cartons of new Bibles that had never been opened and distributed. So, at his Sunday sermon, he asked for three volunteers from the congregation who would be willing to sell the Bibles door-to-door for $10 each to raise the desperately needed money for the church. Peter, Paul and Louie all raised their hands to volunteer for the task. The minister knew that Peter and Paul earned their living as salesmen and were likely capable of selling some Bibles. But he had serious doubts about Louie who was a local farmer, who had always kept to himself because he was embarrassed by his speech impediment. Poor Louie stuttered badly. But, not wanting to discourage Louie, the minister decided to let him try anyway. He sent the three of them away with the back seat of their cars stacked with Bibles. He asked them to meet with him and report the results of their door-to-door selling efforts the following Sunday.

Anxious to find out how successful they were, the minister immediately asked

Peter, "Well, Peter, how did you make out selling our bibles last week?" Proudly handing the reverend an envelope, Peter replied, "Using my sales prowess, I was able

to sell 20 Bibles, and here's the $200 I collected on behalf of the church."

"Fine job, Peter!" The minister said, vigorously shaking his hand. "You are indeed a fine

salesman and the church is indebted to you."

Turning to Paul, "And Paul, how many Bibles did you sell for the church last week?" Paul, smiling and sticking out his chest, confidently replied, "I am a professional salesman. I sold 28 bibles on behalf of the church, and here's $280 I collected."

The minister responded, "That's absolutely splendid, Paul. You are truly a professional

salesman and the church is also indebted to you."

Apprehensively, the minister turned to Louie and said, "And Louie, did you manage to sell any Bibles last week?" Louie silently offered the minister a large envelope. The reverend opened it and counted the contents.

"What is this?" the minister exclaimed. "Louie, there's $3,200 in here! Are you suggesting that you sold 320 Bibles for the church, door to door, in just one week?” Louie just nodded.

That's impossible!" both Peter and Paul said in unison. "We are professional salesmen, yet you claim to have sold 10 times as many Bibles as we could."

"Yes, this does seem unlikely," the minister agreed. "I think you'd better explain how you

managed to accomplish this, Louie."

Louie shrugged. "I-I-I- re-re-really do-do-don't kn-kn-know f-f-f-for sh-sh-sh-sure," he stammered.

Impatiently, Peter interrupted. "For crying out loud, Louie, just tell us what you said

to them when they answered the door!"

"A-a-a-all I-I-I s-s-said wa-wa-was," Louis replied, "W-w-w-w-would y-y-y-you l-l-l-l-l-like t-t-to bb-b-buy th-th-th-this b-b-b-b-bible f-f-for t-t-ten b-b-b-bucks ---o-o-o-or--- wo-wo-would yo-you j-jj-just l-like m-m-me t-t-to st-st-stand h-h-here and r-r-r-r-r-read it t-to y-y-you?"

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15).

Jason