Laughing Matters
Genesis 21:6-7a
And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?”
Consider this Scripture an exclamation point to our opening reflection from Genesis 17 where we discussed the humor of our Lord and the significance of laughter in our life of faith. Friend, isn’t it wonderful to watch Sarah let loose after so many years of sorrow? I love how she says, “God has made laughter for me!”, as if she’s known the joy of the Lord in principle, but now she experiences it personally like never before. Imagine her joy as she nestles her little baby close. Imagine that inner dam of disappointment bursting for good and those redemptive pools forming in her eyes and those heavenly floods of laughter pouring through her vocal cords. What a moment! Who could’ve seen it coming? Who would’ve dreamt up something so outlandish? So preposterous? So, so—well, words can’t express divine bliss this wonderful. Only laughter can get close to the heart of it.
Christian, take heart from this ninety-something-year-old, joyful new mother. God has made special laughter for you as well, even if it hasn’t spilled over just yet.