Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.
Holy Laughter
October 28th, 2004It was not until laugher became the focal point of many religious services and the subject of much debate that I began to consider it from God’s perspective. Certainly, laughter is a gift. Each person’s laugh is unique. God has made us to bubble over in a strange combination of squeals, snorts and cackles when our pleasure cannot be contained. We enjoy a good joke, the unexpected twist in a story line, or the characterization of our human idiosyncrasies. It feels good to laugh. Yet, as with all pleasures and gifts, there is the potential for misuse. Think of those whose sinister laughter flows from darkened hearts. Comedy clubs and shows are full of patrons escaping the sorrows of empty lives while the comedians cross lines of decency and wallow in the gutters of depravity. Even those who call themselves Christians can turn frivolous with a spirit of levity, totally out of touch with the Father’s heart, becoming lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. There is a time for everything and the whole of our lives must be under the control of God’s Spirit.
Still, it is certainly true that our Creator laughs (Psalm 2:4; 37:13). Surely it must be a holy laugh that resonates throughout the cosmos, reverberating in each corner of the universe and finally echoing in the hearts of his children. Have you ever wondered what God’s laugh sounds like? It is nothing like the small laugh of foolish triviality or the hollow chuckle of amused simpletons. It is not the empty laughter of pleasure-seekers. No, God’s laugh is free of fear, sarcasm and smallness. It is a huge and robust, hearty and full. Imagine the sound, the thunder, the joy. How contagious it is, ringing with rightness and truth; the thrilling certainty of all He is and all He has said; the brilliance of His ways and the glory of His triumph over His enemies; the complete victory and vindication of His people; the utter delight of His glory.
God intends for His joy to spill over into our hearts and for our laughter to be the echo of his own gladness. Of course, there is a time when weeping endures for the night and when sorrow quiets our souls (Psalm 30:5). There is a time to weep (Eccles.3:4). All this is part of his design, for God’s school of life always leads through suffering, and suffering eventually hollows out a greater capacity for joy. So, when God’s people laugh, it is not just for emotional release or carnival antics. No, this laugh is the full expression and confidence of our faith. It is a deep contentment and satisfaction in our God. It is the ability to laugh “at destruction and famine” (Job 5:22 ), confident that all God’s promises are true. It is a laugh of sheer joy at God’s gift of righteousness, understanding that I, a sinner, am fully accepted and loved because of Christ. It is a laugh at the absurdity of the enemy’s lies. It is the laugh of triumph (Ps.37:13). It is the laugh of gleeful surprise at God’s turning of events; how in sovereign power He controls the affairs of this world and his purposes will not be thwarted.
Yes, of all people, the saints of God should have the purest and most honest laugh. Never the focal point, but always a response to the deep, abiding joy God has given us. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!
8 Comments »
This is what my heart has been feeling. I suffered my first seizure 5 years ago. At first, they came infrequently. Over time, however, they came closer and closer. Then I suffered a Grand Mal seizure, in which I had some memory loss. I heard the song, “The Mission” on the radio this morning and realized that God can still use me.
Comment by Krista — January 4, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
saludos desde veracruz Mexico
te saluda con amor fraternal Ezequiel
de la iglesia adventista del 7 dia
que Dios te bendiga en tu ministerio
de seguir transmitiendo el mensaje por
medio de la alabanza.Deseo si es posible obtener algunas pistas tuyas para glorificar a Dios en mi pais
y que costo tienen. gracias por tus alabanzas dadas al Señor.Hasta pronto
Comment by Ezequiel — September 14, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Dios le bendiga hrno. Steve le escribo desde Panama, soy Adventista y tengo toda su discografia. Y de corazon deseo que Dios siga bendiciendo su ministerio. Soy estudiante de Licenciatura en canto y para mi usted es un ejemplo a seguir con respecto a la alabanza y entrega al Señor.
Gracias por su musica.
Comment by Gabriel Solano — October 7, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
ME ENCANTA TU ESTILO
Comment by OTONIEL — December 25, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
Hey Steve,
This article gives great insight and is well written. I remember you singing “Precious Lamb of Glory loves redemption story…” That was special…
Thank you for your years of blessing to the Body of Christ
Comment by Leon Chapman — July 18, 2009 @ 9:02 pm
since i was a teen i’ve heard your songs, and they have been a confort to my soul. from the high and loud songs to the peaceful hymns i’ve been blessed. God bless you so much
Comment by Marcio Aquino — January 6, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
saludos de tartagal argentina,hace mucho que lo busco ,se que mi madre fue su amiga en la niñes cuando vivia en este pueblo ,bueno ella se suicido hace muchoa años, pero yo conoci al señor. supe de usted y ahora yo yambiem estoy en la albanza de mi iglesia y queria pedirle su apoyo en oracion sobre todas las cosas.usted es de bendicion para mi vida y quiero yo tambiem ser para otras personas .
Comment by silvia martinez — March 16, 2010 @ 7:52 pm
LOL! There’s a spelling mistake in the first sentence. And guess what word is misspelled… yep, “laughter” is missing the letter T. However I think this is more than just a ironic or humorous occurrence. The letter T should serve as a reminder that we should be “temperate” in all things good. Including laughter despite how good it may feel to have a good chuckle or giggle sometimes, we need to go deeper and find a meaning the transforms us for the better. Thanks again Steve!
Comment by Mark La Flamme aka. Mc S†re†ch — May 23, 2010 @ 6:09 am