“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’” Psalm 126:2
A few nights ago, I laughed so hard and so much that not only was I brought to tears multiple times, but I ended the day with a headache. The best part of all? My laughter wasn’t cued by people that I “go way back” with, but people who I had just met a few days before.
This week, I had the pleasure of attending a training through Samaritan’s Purse. Having walked into the training center alone on Monday, my heart was completely overflowing with joy when another classmate smiled and said, “You guys are just having too much fun,” as she held the door open for my new friends and I on our way into our last day of class.
The more I have reflected on my time with these new friends, these people whose paths were perfectly orchestrated to run with mine, if even just for a few days, and who brought so much joy into my life over the past week, one word continues to come to mind. Peace.
I think about those moments when we were brought to tears of laughter, but I also reflect on the night when we sat around the table at dinner and each shared a glimpse of our journeys with the Lord. I think about how every person at that table was in some sort of a transition in life – transitions that would typically bring about much worry and chaos, but rather, were bringing about much joy and excitement because the details had been surrendered to the Lord by each individual.
When we are staring at the face of change, unknowns, twists and turns, it’s so easy to step outside of the peace of the Lord. It’s so easy to reach over and grab the steering wheel and to begin to worry about the details, but I thoroughly believe that the depth of our laughter this week was a reflection of our peace with the Lord; peace that comes by way of true surrender to His path and His plan.
Friend. I want to ask you this. When was the last time that you laughed until you cried? When is the last time that you experienced the peace of God? True, authentic joy of the Lord?
More than anything, I want you to ask yourself… what is standing in the way of you experiencing His peace that surpasses understanding and His joy unspeakable?
Identify it.
Surrender it.
Trust that it is in the hands of a Father who loves you beyond measure.
Rest in His peace
Be a vessel of His joy.
I hope that you laugh until you cry this week. and I hope that you end your day with a headache, just like I did, but I too, want to encourage you to remember that these are gifts from God. These are reflections of His love, His joy, and His peace.
This morning, as I joined with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ for worship, the following lyrics came across the screen .
“There’s joy in the house of the Lord
There’s joy in the house of the Lord today
And we won’t be quiet
We shout out Your praise”
There is certainly joy in the house of the Lord today. Let us not be quiet.
Share in laughter as you rest in His peace today and in the days to come 
Many years ago and just days before leaving for Africa as fresh new missionaries we heard a 25 year veteran missionary to Yemen speak at our church. Afterwards we were eager to ask what advice he would give us as we headed out to Ghana. His reply to our question was “have fun.” My wife looked at each other and gulped quietly and silently asked ourselves, “that’s it?” Now, today, after serving in Africa for 27 years I would tell a new missionary heading out into the field, “have fun!” And I would also add, “have at least one good belly laugh every day.”
Although DART team members are only out in the field for short sprints of time, I would still say, “have fun.” Not at anyone’s expense of course…but in the joy of serving the Lord with fellow believers who also have joyful hearts serving the Lord.
Well said Maddie!
Thank you so much for sharing this John! I love how something that seemed so simple, has rung so true throughout your years of serving of Lord. Few things compare to sharing in the joy of the Lord with others.