“…We were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.”  – PSALM 126:1-2

God’s work is serious. The world is, at a minimum, difficult. But, over and again, throughout the biblical narrative, two things are being called upon repeatedly: one is gratefulness and the other is joy.

There’s no record of Jesus laughing in Scripture. The Gospel of John famously records that “Jesus wept.” But, there’s no corresponding, “Jesus laughed.” For some, this absence of a laughter-account evidently creates an assumption that Jesus longed for the perpetual somberness of His followers. But, I highly doubt it. The Psalmist writes about a hopeful anticipation of a future event — an event in which God rescues His people. Notice that the language is curiously written in the past-tense (an expression of faith): “Our mouths were filled with laughter.”

Play and laughter are a part of joy — even future joy. This Sunday after church, we’ll play together. We’ll head to the beach (Doheny State Beach, near lifeguard tower 12 at around 1p) for a Mariners beach day. The Maguire’s van will arrive at church packed with surfboards so we can hit the sand immediately after church is over. We’ll eat hot dogs likely to be unfortunately “gritted” with sand. We’ll build castles. We’ll play volleyball. Maybe, in the midst of teaching our kids how to throw a frisbee or brave the surf, we’ll become “like those who dreamed.”

We’ll continue in our LISTEN series this Sunday and then head out to the beach. Bring some money for parking and whatever you want/need at the beach. Look for the Mariners flag and a crowd of people who could probably use more sunscreen and “whose mouths [are] full of laughter.”

See you Sunday,

Jeff