"I Laugh, 'Ha, Ha!' at Adversity"

Okay, so this week I have failed to post regularly. In fact, for the past couple of weeks I've not done very well and I am sorry. The good news is as we have established the beginnings of a whole church blogging community (and with the thoughtful and exciting posts of Aaron and Kendra), you have had something good to read every day. Therefore you might not have had time for mine anyway. (although I know some of you still look for it daily and for that I am grateful.)

So, I'll do my best to post daily, to provide some thought on the daily readings, to share from the sometimes confusing things that happen in my own mind and heart. Don't give up on me, for I sure haven't given up on you.

The week has been rather filled with interesting events and activities. It was a week that found me in Crown Point, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Epworth Forest and eventually, back home. That's a lot of driving, but well worth the effort. I was able to be with some of our members who were preparing for serious surgeries and life changes. I was able to share with those going through some adversity. I was able to experience and help in final preparations for Senior High Institute (camp) that begins this Sunday. (and somewhere finish a sermon, notes for the bulletin and still take most of a day off, although it's still early, I'm still working, and the phone hasn't stopped ringing since I got up!)

We all have weeks like this. Sometimes it is we who are experiencing the life-changing events and adversities through which we must find some measure of faith just to get through. Yet most of us not only experience these things periodically (some more than others), but are able to find the joy of God's presence in them. We have experienced the true nature of faith that provides hope even when it looks like the walls are tumbling down around us. Sometimes we are able to laugh, "ha, ha!" in the face of adversity.

"Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion." (Hebrews 10:32-36, The Message).

That is the nature of faith to which we must mature. It's not that God is waiting on us to achieve it, but that is the type of faith which our soul desires, to be able to look at every circumstance as an opportunity to look to God and say, "big deal, my hope is in you!" "I have cancer, so what, health and eternity await me." "My new car is totalled, but my real treasure is with you." Regardless what happens, we can praise God, trust God, hope in God's promises.

We've all heard that it is good to laugh. I love good jokes, good comedians, and throw-your-head-back-and-laugh (or for the internet saavy, rotflol) experiences. Now if we can just learn to do that more often, at more than jokes, but at life. Laugh at what God is doing, not to make fun of it, but to truly find the joy in it, and laugh out loud.

Some days my prayers are simple, I say "bring it on, God!" because I'm ready to experience something new and that I know that whatever it is I can laugh because God is with me and I can handle anything with Him.

So can you!

So get ready for the day and laugh. God is at work with you.

Peace ><>
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