I hope the title of this blog got your attention… Who doesn’t love vacations? Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of an instant vacation? If this was a real thing, I’d be saying, “Sign me up!”
Well, it is a real thing. Let me explain:
You know the story in Nehemiah where God said to his people, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). This reminder was connected to the promise that God would help them rebuild what was broken down. In this case, it was their city. But the promise is true even if it’s your life that needs rebuilding. The promise is that God has a joy for you that is unlike anything the world can offer.
In fact, the Psalmist said, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). God has promised to lead and guide us in paths of righteousness where His help and strength uphold us despite what it may look (or feel) like on the outside.
INSIDE, we can abide in supernatural joy.
So, remember this: LAUGHTER IS AN INSTANT VACATION.
When you laugh, you are whisked away to a happy place for a moment– a place where God can pour into you and fill the cracks and crevices of a naturally hard day or week. Laughter is a real gift. It was built into our DNA by God Himself. He knew laughter is better than any medicine (Proverbs 17:22).
A great example is the story of Abraham and Sarah. They always wanted children but were well up in years before God gave them the promise that it was not too late. The Bible says Abraham laughed in sheer joy at the thought of this promise. And Sarah laughed too. At first, she laughed mockingly, unable to see that God could really give her this desire, but later she said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6).
Some people carry natural joy with them everywhere. I am not one of those people. My personality is somewhat serious and intent on the task at hand. But I have learned to tap into this built-in “vacay” from God. Whether I’m laughing at my husband’s witty comments, or my kid’s crazy antics, or a video of cats running into a glass door, the result is the same– laughter fills and refreshes my soul.
But the best kind of laughter is when you know who you are in Christ, that God is for you and not against you, as you recall the promises of God that are YES and AMEN to the glory of God through you! Then you will be like those who said, “Our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad” (Psalm 126:2-3).
My prayer for you today is that you laugh. I pray God finds a way to tap on the door of your heart and fill it with His joy! Your instant vacation awaits you! It’s okay to laugh 😀
