Today a friend called me up and said he wasn’t sure how he felt, but it wasn’t good. I invited him over and we worked in Photoshop Elements on some photos he took the previous evening at a concert. Then we watched a raucous comedy, Billy Madison. I was trying to help him feel better, even to feel happy. He laughed a lot during the movie, and I think he went home later in the evening feeling better.
The Bible tells us that Jesus once wept. I often wonder how it would have affected Christendom if there were also scripture that said Jesus often laughed. Can the joy that is a byproduct of spiritual fullness be devoid of abundant laughter? Is it possible that the twelve apostles and Jesus formed a group of joyful somber heavies? Somehow it just doesn’t seem plausible. Nevertheless, the inspired scripture of the Gospel never shows us a single glimpse of Jesus having a hearty laugh or telling a funny story. Sometimes I think some of the good parts were left out. Nothing could be truer than that serious business is sometimes validated and enhanced by a good sense of humor. It is quite simply one aspect of grace under pressure.
