Laughing Crew

1Pe 1:8 -You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

I often noticed and wondered why some people in church would laugh at certain points in the sermons, sometimes right in the midst of one. It was like a small crew of people. What in the world could strike them as funny from the pastor on Sunday morning?

Have you ever considered what does really does make us laugh? We normally laugh in response to something. Now there are many different laughs. Laughs can be toward a comedian or a movie or commercial. You could laugh at a card or book. There are laughs directed at people but those are not very nice. In general, laughter means we are in a happy place.

I have to admit, it takes a LOT to make me laugh. I don’t laugh at what most people do. But oddly, I find myself laughing in church!

Ok, when I first started it, I obviously did it unconsciously. I never really noticed until someone, painfully, made me aware of my church shrills! I felt bad that I might have disturbed them and asked them if I did. They said they thought I was really having a good time. I’m sure I really was.

I guess if I am having a good time I might as well look like right? I still could not explain why I did this. I was perplexed (but not in despair!)

I started to analyze myself to get to the bottom of my perplexity. Whenever I went to church during my self-analysis period, I’d try to move in slow motion, to become totally self-aware. I was going to catch myself at the onset of a laugh and determine where it came from.

Sunday came. I arrived at church. It was time for the sermon. I was calm, almost motionless. I held my breath. The pastor was doing a Fruit of the Spirit series. This week was peace. He started with how peace looks to us.

I was fine.

He gave some scripture references,

“If it possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11

I checked myself; I was fine.

He said we should strive to be at peace with God, others and ourselves. He then started talking about how few things are harder than being at odds with others. He said it is not about us and the only thing that will last is Jesus and what we’ve done for Him. He gave some examples and asked did we know what he meant. He said it is dangerous to carry the banner of Christ and not be an instrument of peace!

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

He said peace is not the opposite of war, it is ‘everything joined together in sync with what God wants for us.’ Well, …he gave a band example of how each musician was playing his ‘own' tune, the guitarist, the pianist, the drummer (of course!) and how they just couldn’t get it together. He said we are like that in life. We cannot play together.

He said to maintain peace, we must FIRST, filter the noise, SECOND, investigate the truth. Speak the truth in love because the truth without love is divisive. And THIRD, X-out the enemies of peace. Mediate on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely!

Well, I missed it! By this time, I was in a full roar! I was sideways in the pew. I missed the onset. I wondered if I’d ever catch myself starting to laugh.

I prayed and just asked the Lord why. Almost immediately I started to laugh and laugh and laugh. Oh my Lord! Oh my Lord!

It was hard to describe. I felt peaceful, warm, loved and illuminated all at the same time.

It was divine revelation.

When the Lord speaks through revelation, He elevates to the highest level of responsiveness.

When it happens to me, I want to explode; it’s like the slow rise of a thermometer…I do explode…in to laughter! It is my response to the Lord’s revelation in my life.

So that’s it! That’s why people laugh out loud in church. Actually, everyone does not laugh, some respond in different ways. Some cry or wave their hand or pat their foot. Me, I laugh!

It is the inexpressible joy that comes with hearing from the Lord.

Well, mystery solved! I am a member of the laughing crew!