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No, I am not referring to Don Rickles, Ray Romano, or any other human being whose antics tickle our funny bone. I am referring to the inventor of humor, the One who created all that exists.
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Would that include humor? Unequivocally, yes.
In our recent teaching on prayer, we promised to rejoin the series—and we shall, in a more formal way—but this just happened last night and this morning and is pertinent, so we thought we would share it with you.
One of the principles of prayer that I have discovered through experiences in my personal prayer life is that God speaks to me in a way custom-designed for me. (I trust that He does this with everyone, though many may not yet realize it.)
He answers me in a language, that is to say, in words, vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, style, etc. that communicates personally to me.
Sometimes He speaks in what I would call formal English, a very proper American English that might be found in a courtroom, or in a Congressional proceeding (though, admittedly, that sometimes degenerates into name-calling, etc.). But I am speaking of the American English that Congress exhibits when on their best behavior—formal, serious and solemn.
Herein, when I refer to the English language, I am referring to American English. At other times, our heavenly Father speaks to me through and with the Son, Jesus, in a less formal manner; what I would characterize as everyday English.
Yet, there are still other times, when I hear the voice of my God in the language of the street—not with profanity or vulgarity, mind you—but sometimes in slang and using the common metaphors and figures of speech of the day. In other words, He communicates to me in language that He knows will get the message across.
If sometimes His answer is not clear, He is doing that on purpose to teach me to ask Him for clarity. And on some occasions I learn that I am not supposed to know the answer to my specific question—at least not at that time.
With that as background to how He speaks to me, here is further background on what happened yesterday. It was a good day. I was up very early and had time after prayer to begin working on my blog du jour. Then I needed to get prepared to attend our County’s monthly Republican Women’s Club luncheon.
As regular readers know, men are encouraged to join as Associate Members, and I had been asked to serve as Chaplain for the Club which I have done for going on two years.
It was a good meeting but of no special concern to report to our national/international readership. I was back at my office by mid-afternoon and had a meeting with Jesse to discuss present developments in rolling out more features in our Mighty Network platform.
I had to cut that shorter than I would have preferred but I needed to allow sufficient time to finish yesterday’s blog. (They always take longer than I think it should take.)
As 5 p.m. rolled around I had to eat something quickly because, for me, Tuesday night is “exercise night.” That is to say, I go to the weekly Mountain Shag Club dances. All in all, a good day so far.
There was nothing out of the ordinary at the dance. I was not offended by anyone. I danced with a lot of ladies (as usual. There are always more ladies than men.) I enjoyed seeing my many friends there, and many of them expressed their disappointment that I did not attend a special dance last Saturday night.
“You were missed,” or “we really missed you,” they all said, and not just the ladies but guys, too. I emphasize that many expressed that to me. That should give anyone an emotional boost, right? …to know that they enjoy your presence and miss you when you are absent.
I explained that I was working Saturday and Sunday in Tennessee and Georgia on my monthly teaching circuit. So, all that is to say, I was puzzled when after about an hour into the dance, I suddenly realized I was depressed. (I had not been drinking an alcoholic beverage; nothing but water.)
I generally do not get sad and depressed. And when I do, I know of one quite reliable way to pull oneself out of it by one’s bootstraps. For those who don’t know this simple (and biblical) remedy, it is to turn one’s focus outward.
Quit focusing on how sad or depressed we feel, but get in touch with someone in person or by phone (not merely an email), and ask how they are doing. Be genuinely concerned about their welfare. Offer to help somehow, which may simply be to give them a shoulder to lean on. I won’t elaborate on that, but that’s it in a nutshell.
Well, when I got home last night, I watched a bit of prerecorded TV of what’s presently going on vis a vis Biden’s announcement that he won’t seek the nomination, and cackling’ Kamala’s delight to be the heir apparent. (FYI, that won’t last.)
I was not particularly noticing sadness or depression when I went to bed. That is, I was not saying to myself, “Gosh, I still feel sad and depressed.” I was, however, quite tired as I went to bed.
When I woke up this morning, I realized I had had some fairly unpleasant dreams but they soon faded, and I could not tell you a thing about them now. But as I lay there half awake, I found myself remembering very dark days in my life; namely, the circumstances of the deaths of our daughter, our son, and of course, of Roxanne.
(Last Sunday was our wedding anniversary, so I had thought about that somewhat, but not during the weekend itself because I am too busy with the folks at our SK Fellowships. I love them!)
But suddenly, and scarcely awake this morning, I was very conscious of the sadness and depression, and knew I had to get my mind on the business of the day. Beginning with prayer and Bible reading.
I lay there and greeted the Almighty One, as is my habit, thanking Him for another day of life. Still in bed I turned around, head at the foot end, so I could do my initial stretches. As I was doing them, I told the Father and Jesus about my current state of sadness and depression—as though They did not know 😊.
And I asked Jesus and the Father if They would kindly remove that emotional state for me so I could focus clearly on the work They had for me today.
Instantly, I had this picture of them both (but not their faces)—as though they were two adult brothers who love each other deeply—and both were answering me at the same time, saying slightly different things, such as, Well, sure, we’ll take care of that for you. And the other saying, James, we’ll be very happy to do that for you.
And as they were saying that—basically talking over each other—they looked at each other and started jostling each other, one shoving the other in the shoulder, saying, I’ll answer him; and the other giving it right back, pushing the other in the chest and saying, No, I’ve got it handled.
From there it “degenerated” into what I can only call a divine jostling match… just as I and my brothers sometimes do at family reunions—all in brotherly affection. No one in the least getting injured or hurt in any way, just kidding around.
But that scene was so shocking and unexpected, I nearly rolled off the bed laughing, and then belly-laughed some more, and then a minute later, had another spasm of uncontrollable laughter.
And then both of them smiled (don’t ask me to describe their faces, I cannot); but I knew they were, as they both said in unison: Does that take care of it for you?
Needless to say, I am no longer sad and depressed. They answered me in a “language” that communicated to me. But totally unexpected from the Almighty Creator! Very unusual! But it did the trick. Indeed, They are One God.
They are the King of Glory, and They are the King of Humor! Who would have expected an answer so quickly and so curative, delivered in such a hilarious fashion, straight from the Creator of the Universe Himself. What an awesome God we serve! Praise ye Yahweh!
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