Green Pastures and Still Waters
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I almost always enjoyed the laughter of our sons. There was a time or two that their laughter was “at my expense,” but overall, hearing them laugh brought me joy. The laughter of my grandchildren is like sunshine and blue skies. It is like a cool beverage on a hot day. It’s better than opening day of squirrel season! When those kids laugh from their bellies, it is a little glimpse of Heaven. I haven’t always believed that…the Heaven part. I must admit that for many years I imagined that God tolerated our laughter. I viewed laughter as a rather necessary evil that God put up with until we outgrew it. C.S. Lewis and John Ortberg helped me understand that laughter, joy and even happiness are not anomalies associated with the fall but are actually reflections of God’s nature and “whiffs of Heaven.” I cried the day I read “God is the happiest, most joyful being in the universe.” I remember feeling so happy that God was happy! The Scriptures reveal this. Psalm 16:11, “…in Your presence is fullness of joy!” Nehemiah 8:10, “…do not grieve, the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Romans 14:17, “…the kingdom of God is…righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Of course there is inappropriate laughter just as there is inappropriate eating and inappropriate sex. The devil specializes in taking the good gifts of God and perverting them for our ruin. We should not allow his perversions to rob us of God’s blessings. So, reflecting on the First Advent of our Lord and the angelic host that brought good tidings of great joy, let’s remember this joy is the mood of Heaven. “Joy to the World” is more than the title of a Christmas Carol, it is the good will of God toward mankind. He wants us to have what Father/Son/Spirit already enjoy! Woe to the people that think hell is where the party is going to be. The best, purest, holiest and most robust laughter and joy will be in the presence of JOY Himself. Let’s reflect Him now in anticipation of the fullness of joy in His presence. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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Some readers will remember the title of a book written a few years back, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” There is also a book titled, “When Good Things Happen to Bad People.” More people are interested in the first one because most people see themselves and those close to themselves as good and it drives them crazy that they suffer! Suffering is bad. Most of us are tired of suffering aren’t we? Aren’t you grieved by war, cancer, poverty, hunger, hatred and death? It simply will not do to say, “Oh, things really aren’t that bad…” I’m an upbeat person for the most part but the suffering I see and pray about on a daily basis is a burden I can hardly bear some days. Part of the struggle is the mystery of it all. I know people with cancer right now that should be well and enjoying their service for God and the love of their family. I know some people that are mean, churlish and unrepentant that don’t even get the stomach flu! How can this be? I don’t believe in “karma.” Even a cursory study of history blows that foolishness away. There is something else going on here. There is a bigger story behind the one we see. Years ago I had more answers about these things than I do today, partly because suffering challenges one’s “pat answers.” Some things are simply not explainable from our vantage point. One thing I know for sure, suffering always gets our attention. Some people run to God in their troubles. Some people blame Him and run from Him. Some people get better and some people get bitter. Being a Christian doesn’t fix everything and the Father’s intervention is not guaranteed (at least in the way we want it.) But here is something else I know for sure, Jesus arrived as Messiah 2,000 years ago and I really believe that what He did through His suffering has changed the lives of millions of people forever. I also believe that suffering in this life has not been eliminated yet and that without it, many people would be oblivious to God’s mercy. Let us pray that the suffering of this world will be used by God for good and that His mercies will be received. The good news of Christmas is that the story is not over, the best is yet to come! Even so Lord Jesus, quickly come!