Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6)
The first time I conducted a funeral, the mortician told me to wait until the music stopped, then begin the service. Wearing my new black suit, I faced the grieving audience, but couldn’t think how to begin. I finally chirped, “How is everybody this morning?”
The mourners shot horrified glances toward the family, and it occurred to me that those were not the most appropriate words.
Life would be a lot more fun if I’d learn to laugh at myself. In heaven, they must chuckle at earthly blunders. To join the humor of paradise, I need a deeper understanding of how grace frees me from a need to project the right image. The reality is that I’m completely accepted because of Christ’s work, and I don’t need any image at all. I’m so radically free that laughter is precisely the correct response.
Why not enjoy more of heaven’s laughter now? There is a time for serious contemplation, and there’s nothing funny about rebellion against God. Moreover, the glory of the Lord shuts my mouth to superfluous utterances. But when it comes to infighting over nonessential theology, or opinions on how mankind can solve his problems, or concern about my self-important reputation, I need to see my life from eternity’s perspective and laugh.
Even better than derisive laughter, there is a richer, truer humor in which I can abandon my heart. What God has done for me—taken a worthless sinner and anointed me with a perfect future—is so outlandishly wonderful that I have to laugh from deep within.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I’m laughing in delight over my rescue.