For you will laugh

Last week I was looking at imagination and play, so folks, this week I am looking for some laughs.

After all, why should Discordians have all the fun? High time we deconstructed the ‘false dichotomy’ between seriousness and humour ourselves. But first, let’s start with popular perception.

Often Christianity is seen as a somber religion with Christ setting the tone as the man of sorrows. And there is some truth to this. After all, the crucifixion was seriously nasty business. But personally I’ve always such views as lop sided. For just as the crucifixion cannot be fully appreciated without the resurrection, sorrow cannot be fully appreciated without the laughs to come. So, here again are some verses I’ve found useful to reflect on:

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6)

You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth. (Job 5:22)

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:21)

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” (Psalm 126:2)

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. (Proverbs 14:13)

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25)

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. (Luke 6:21)

Again, there’s a prophetic dimension to this laughter, and therein lies a paradox: we aren’t taking life seriously if we only take life seriously.