What's So Funny?

There are times when we might hear a joke and for some reason not GET IT. Perhaps we feel a bit embarrassed that others are laughing while we have missed what the punch line is all about. However, have we ever considered the possibility that others might be laughing because they don’t GET IT? There is laughter over things that really should be given very serious consideration. Much is joked about today that is in reality no joke at all.

I don’t watch very many sitcoms (situation comedies) on television because -- in my estimation -- most of them are pretty raunchy. I don’t even like to sit through most of the previews of these shows that air between segments of the programs I do enjoy. When I hear the laughter of the audience following lines recited by the characters in those previews, I often wonder where the humor was seen that brought such a boisterous response. Sometimes, to my dismay, those same clips are shown over and over again days prior to the date of the episode. I am so thankful for the mute button on the TV remote!

I don’t know if it is still the practice, but it at least used to be that programs often had an individual relax and warm up an audience prior to the beginning of the show. That way, once the host (or main characters) came out onto the set or stage to begin the program, the audience was already primed to laugh and be responsive to what was said. The world works in much the same way. If we can be made to relax and laugh about certain things, it can open the way to draw us into the same with other matters that we would otherwise consider to be of poor taste. I’m not saying joking and laughing is wrong. Those who are familiar with me know I love to laugh and often cause others to either laugh at me or with me. My point is we just need to give serious consideration to what it is that makes us laugh. Not all that the world considers to be a joke (or comic material) should give rise to laughter.

Solomon stated…
“DOING WRONG IS LIKE A JOKE TO A FOOL, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.” ( Proverbs 10:23 ESV)

The American Standard Version reads, “It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.”

Do we GET IT? Are we finding a sense of pleasure in the right activities and conversations? May we continue to find our pleasure in the Will and Wisdom of God.

Have a great day REVEALING AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT PLEASES GOD!
Carl

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