Laughing with God

“Sarah said, God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:6 NIV)

I love to laugh and giggle. When I was growing up, my siblings and I laughed and giggled so much that we would get a bit too rowdy. Did you know there’s such a thing as a “Laughter Club”? I was first introduced to the official “laughter movement” this year at school. The idea is that prolonged laughter in a group helps mood and is a form of exercise. I felt silly trying to laugh for five minutes straight, but I will say it felt good to laugh at nothing in particular.

Why do we laugh? As I’ve said before, I laughed when I played. I laugh for joy. But I also laugh out of frustration, nervousness—even sadness. I laugh at things when they seem absurd or ridiculous.  Sometimes I laugh when I don’t know how to react.

This verse stood out to me as I was doing my Bible study because it reminded me that God fulfills his promises and allows me to laugh with him after. Throughout the story of God’s promise to Sarah and Abraham, Sarah laughs. She laughed to herself when she heard she’d bear a son a year out when she’s “worn out” and Abraham is “old” (Genesis 18:12). And she laughed, perhaps with joy or amazement, when she gave birth, when God fulfilled His promise.

I’m lots like Sarah. It’s been awhile since I had a deep good time with God, but I know the promises he’s made me. One of them—going back to school in a healthcare field—is a big one, as you may know. I laughed and cried before out of frustration of not getting into medical school. I laughed in an “a-ha! moment” when I was a missionary, because God is so good and told me “nursing school,” even when I felt like I could have stayed longer and served in a different capacity. I laughed because nursing was one of the last things that crossed my mind. And I laugh now, for joy and to keep my sanity.

But I laugh with God, as I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, watching Him fulfill promise after promise. When’s the last time you felt God brought you laughter?

Miel can be reached by email here.