Laughter was a big thing in the 1990s, especially around 1994 in Toronto. But it was happening before that in places like Vineyard and with Rodney Howard-Browne in Pentecostal circles. Laughter seemed to be something God used to get our attention, bringing joy that made our joy complete. Sometimes, what God is doing in us is so overwhelming that it has to come out, bringing a sense of joy and helping us enjoy life.
Laughter is a joyful thing, especially when you don’t even know why you’re laughing. It feels freeing, especially for us Brits who tend to be quite reserved. I remember during the laughter movement, I was in a men’s worship setting where we were all a bit stiff. This guy said, “God wants to knock the British stuffing out of you,” and he started whacking us with a Union Jack cushion. All our inhibitions just disappeared, and we worshipped in a way we’d never done before. It was life-changing for me, making me feel free to express myself in worship and even dance, something I’d never done before.
Before that experience, I was always worried about what others thought and felt restricted. But once those inhibitions lifted, I felt free to express myself. I think God wants us all to be free, not restricted or inhibited, and laughter helps us let go of our dignity and just enjoy the moment. Laughter is a way to express the joy God has put in us. It can be healing and liberating.
This year, I built birdhouses and we started feeding birds in the garden. Watching the birds has been a lovely experience, seeing how they feed their chicks and care for them. It’s a beautiful picture of how God provides for us and cares for us. Birds sacrifice a lot for their chicks, constantly flying back and forth to feed them. It’s been delightful watching them grow and become independent. Similarly, God wants us to depend on Him as our source of life. Even as we mature, He remains our source, continually feeding and equipping us.