Holy Laughter

I've been wondering lately why I laugh so much! Sometimes it rises up when I expect and other times in what I feel can be awkward moments. I am not speaking of the laughter that comes from outward stimuli, like funny jokes, embarrassing stories, or our children's antics.  I am speaking of that laughter welling up from deep within - from my inner being. It seems to rise up until it overflows the banks of the river, splashing everywhere. 

Let me share with you what Holy Spirit is teaching me from the bible about this 'holy laughter.' 

Genesis 21:6-7 - "Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.' And she added, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.'"

• Sarah, who "was past the age of childbearing", had just given birth to a son according to the promise given her by God (Gen.18:10). 
• Even though Abraham and Sarah had sought their own path of bringing God's promise to fulfillment (the birth of Ishmael by Sarah's servant, Hagar), our merciful God still fulfilled his promise to them.
• Sarah would learn to laugh in a new way.

They named their son Isaac, meaning "he laughs."  Now think about that one for a second. They often gave their children names describing a particular condition surrounding the birth, whether it be the color of their skin (Esau means "hairy"), how they exited the womb (Jacob means "heal grabber"), or amidst difficult times (Ichabod means "the glory has departed"). Abraham and Sarah called their son, "he laughs." From the time Sarah new she had conceived there would have been incredible joy. 

But she was too old! How could she carry this child to full-term? Would she be able to nurse a child? She was too old! Fact is, everyone who had any common sense KNEW Sarah was past the age of having children; not a little past, but WAY PAST! What common sense often neglects to account for is what I like to call "heaven sense." In other words, "what makes sense in heaven." (We know the two don't often line up.) I'll bet Abraham and Sarah laughed with wonder, joy and amazement each day as they watched the promise grow within her womb. I'll bet laughter characterized their lives as they waited for that child to be born! Of course, it made perfect sense to call their son, "he laughs!"

Now don't forget, Sarah also laughed when she first received the promise of a son from God. "So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, 'After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure (blessing)(Gen.18:12)?'" That's when the angel of the Lord responded, "Why did Sarah laugh...Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

There is a laughter that rests upon common sense - what we all think we know. There is also a laughter that rests upon 'heaven sense' - what all of heaven knows. Once Sarah had begun to experience the promise of God growing within her, her laughter changed from common laughter to holy laughter. As we begin to experience the life of God growing in us, each of his promises planted like seeds, we too shall begin to well up with this holy laughter. It springs forth from joy! Isaiah said, "With joy you will draw waters from the wells of salvation (12:3)." Also, in Psalm 126:2, "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.'" 

It's amazing. Often when we hear someone laughing we can't wait to find out WHY they are laughing so we can join in! But when we hear laughter in the very context we should expect it - in the gathering of the saints - we can become frustrated, confused, disturbed, annoyed and sometimes angry. Let us remember, we are learning to live according to heaven sense, not common sense.

Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." Some say holy laughter is contagious. I agree. The joy welling up in Sarah would cause others to rejoice with her. As others shared in the glory of an awesome God, who always makes good on his promises, they too would have been overwhelmed with joy and laughter. The only ones who wouldn't have joined in the fun would be those who were still trying to make sense out of what everyone 'knew' was impossible.

I say - JOIN THE PARTY! Often we need to ride the wave of other's joy until we find ourselves experiencing the same.