We have to be able to laugh at ourselves in the course of life, for if we take ourselves too seriously, we find ourselves in awkward moments because we just couldn't pause and laugh. Take the Children's Message at church yesterday in the second service where I met a young boy named Cooper, who was full of life and information. The topic was the "Three Pigs," used to illustrate the foundation of Christ in the church much as the pig who chose brick. Of course, Cooper set me up with several opportunities to laugh, genuinely, not at him, but at his commentary as we went along. He has a library and the Three Pigs' book is also accompanied by a movie. And he knew the narrative and gladly led me along through the narrative. Our interaction, as well as the other kids, led to laughter in the congregation, which is the primary reason you invite children to come to the altar and hear the Word of God processed for a child (and the adults in the room).
We take ourselves too seriously sometimes which makes the sharing of the joy in the Gospel difficult. There is a Christian satire site, the Babylon Bee, which is funny in its own way, like this story (click on this to read it) about the church secretary who used "every font known to man" to advertise the pot luck supper.
Times can get tense in this world, and the sharing of the gospel can become difficult, yet we seek to find joy in our work and laughter as we share in that joy with others. As Paul writes in Philippians 4: "Therefore my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved." Love, joy, and crown all from standing firm in the gospel. We pray we share in that joy with the world.
Hope Men's Ministry
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