6/26/55

Scripture: Read Matthew 13: 24-43.

“You are destined to be lonely if you can’t laugh.” Of course, the fellow who is continually clowning sometimes gets to be a bore. And it is possible to make fun of what, to others, does not seem humorous, and should not be funny. But the fact remains that “a merry heart doeth good like medicine.” [Proverbs 17: 22] “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance;” [Proverbs 15: 13]; it “hath a continual feast” [Proverbs 15: 15] ----- as is so variably, and repeatedly observed in the book of Proverbs.

A glad heart spreads a good contagion around among other people. It lifts one out of the depths of self pity when troubles get magnified. It helps to save one from too much self importance. Ministerial students are told that a sense of humor is an asset by no means to be discarded. And I assume that it is a desirable asset in most other vocations as well.

I. Life should be fun. It does not need to be continually comic. It need not be “funny.” But there should be fun in any life that is to have zest and meaning. Not all fun, however, is in humor; nor in play or relaxation. Those who are fortunate, know that their work should be fun. There should be deep and satisfying enjoyment of it, and at it.

Leaning should be fun -- and usually is for eager minds. Church should be deeply enjoyed. A young man from another city whom I met once told me of the real significance he had found in his church membership and activity in recent years. He said that he had not taken it as anything significant until after his marriage. But, having joined with his wife in the church of her preference, he paid serious attention to it, and found that it became more and more central in the real satisfaction of his living. Life should be fun!

II. But to be fun, it must be right. The enjoyments that are pursued out of selfishness and of disregard of others become a mirage that disappears leaving only spiritual desert. If one is quite heedless of the goodness of God, he finds that he had missed the mark; and no bluff, no kidding of himself or others, no brave front fills in the richness which he seeks but which eludes him.

The laughter that makes a merry heart needs to be the laughter that can be shared by others. Here are a couple of wholesome lines quoted from a London magazine: “Laughter directed by the heart cannot go wrong because it will feel and imagine for its victim. Be wary of laughter that comes only from the head.”

The fun that gets away from consciousness of self into the shared life, hopes, imaginations, feelings of others, is usually fun for everybody. Someone suggests that the word “joy” stands for three things: “J” - Jesus first. (That’s not a bad observation when you review the tremendous zest of our Master from Nazareth.) “O” - others second; and “Y” - you, yourself, third.

If life is to be fun, it will be lived in the sight of God’s goodness, full of consideration for others; the zest of helpfulness. It will be fair and just, tempered with mercy. It will take little satisfaction in destruction and a great deal of joy in building all sorts of constructive attitudes and accomplishments. To be fun, it must be right.

III. If it is not right, it must be made right. In the area of religion we have long recognized, in the Christian faith, that we can get our erring lives back on what is for us the right track, by means of certain practices and attitudes. (a) Prayer, not just selfish petition, but opening the whole of one’s attention and life to the will of God as it may be revealed to us, is one of those means. (b) An honest confession, before God, of our sins of act and attitude, holding back nothing before His Holy sight, is another means. For, if honestly confessed, sincerely repented, honestly rectified, they are forgiven in His mercy and life is renewed with joyful freshness. (c) A repeated searching of Scripture is enlightening to mind and soul as well.

(d) Insofar as we allow anything to happen within us at receiving what we call the sacraments of baptism or communion, these are superb means of assistance in getting right what needs to be righted in our lives. Essentially this is what we do in the service of communion. We open our minds and hearts to the full impact of God’s will for us. We search our lives more intently than at other times for the points at which we need re-direction. We silently confess our faults before God. We lay hold upon the assurance of His forgiveness. We accept with deep joy the evidence and symbols of Jesus’ leadership and sacrifice for us. And we re-dedicate ourselves, not to more withdrawn piety, but to genuinely better living.

Can you think of any great joy?

That is what we are here for today. (And before we partake of this sacrament of remembrance and dedication, we are to welcome into our fellowship as members of this church eleven more folk who have made it their desire and decision to unite with us.)

-------------------------

Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, June 26, 1955 (Communion Sunday).