We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
What joy! (Psalm 126:2-3, NLT).

How well do the words in this Psalm describe you? When you reflect upon what God has done, does it fill you with laughter and joy? Why do so many Christians seem like their conversion to Jesus saved them from laughing? I remember reading through the great American theologian Jonathan Edwards’ (1703-1758) seventy life resolutions years ago and laughed out loud at number 38, where he resolved not to tell jokes or laugh on “the Lord’s Day.” Unfortunately, some of us grew up in that less than healthy tradition.  

James Martin believes that joy and laughter are imperative for a healthy Christian life and makes his case in his book, Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life (2011). Martin introduces us to many of the funny saints of the past and present. And, as a Jesuit priest, he even makes note of the spiritual maturity of Martin Luther’s wit. In fact, in writing about Martin Marty, one of the world’s top scholars on Luther, he discusses his idea of a book entitled, James Martin on Martin Marty on Martin Luther. Sounds riveting!

Humor is everywhere, but we are so preoccupied with “important” things that we miss it and, in doing so, miss seeing God in the mix of the mirth. “It reminds me of the story of the fellow looking for a parking space. He’s the best man at a friend’s wedding, and he is late for the ceremony. So, he’s frantically driving around the church parking lot. Not a religious sort, he nonetheless prays, “Oh God! Please help me! If you open a parking space, I’ll go to church every Sunday, I’ll pray every night, and I’ll be kind to everyone I meet!” Suddenly a spot opens. And the guy says, “Oh, never mind, God. I found one.” (221). 

Martin’s book gives insight on how we can learn to laugh at ourselves and shows how, by not taking ourselves so seriously it helps us take God more seriously. He has chapters on how to incorporate laughter into your prayer life, how seeing the funny side of church helps a community be more joyful and forgiving, how laughing prepares us for heaven, and how we can learn to laugh even if we don’t think we are good at it. This is a seriously funny book on the importance of how humor helps us become more human.

Did I tell you the one about the Catholic priest, Baptist preacher, and Jewish rabbi? If not, you’ll have to find a copy of Between Heaven and Mirth and go to page 183 to find out what happens.