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God’s restoration of Israel reawakens their ability to laugh.
[/ultimate_heading][us_separator height=”20px” size=”custom”][us_sharing providers=”email,facebook,twitter,gplus”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]There’s something significant and even spiritual about sitting around a table with good friends, good food, and hearty laughter. Think back to the last time you experienced a time like that; my guess is it was magical. Moments like these remind us there’s a difference between existing and living. Laughter is said to be good for the soul, that’s true. Scientists have also recently identified laughter is also good for our physical bodies. It’s as though we’re created for experiences that allow us to feel the depths of what it means to be human.
When we go through seasons of doubt, pain, sorrow or loss, laughter is one of the first things that disappears. Pain has the ability to dominate our lives. Sorrow speaks over us in such a way that clouds our ability to enjoy good things. Perhaps if you’ve lost someone you love, you’ve even experienced guilt about laughing in the midst of pain. However, the Psalmist writes, “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter…” The Psalmist reminds us that God’s restoration of Israel reawakens their ability to laugh.
The restoration God brings is holistic. Not only is Israel restored to their land, their ability to appreciate the life they’ve been given has also been restored. The return of laughter is indicative of Israel’s ability to be present! It’s impossible to laugh in the past or in the future, you can only laugh in the present. The Israelites were able to step back from their immediate needs to appreciate the divine humor surrounding them. They were able to appreciate the world as it was, not as they wished it would be. The return of laughter was the fruit of freedom.
How often do you laugh? On average, kids laugh 300-400 times each day. Adults only laugh 15-20 times each day. What happens to us as we ‘mature’? What if we started to view laughter as a litmus test for the spiritual health of our soul? Spiritually healthy people have the ability to laugh! Let yourself laugh today! See the world around you and look for divine humor. Embrace the freedom of the cross that allows you to be present with the people around you. If you need a little help, watch this video![/vc_column_text][us_separator height=”25px” size=”custom”][vc_column_text]
By Ryan Paulson
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