"I smile at my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation."
1 Samuel 2:1
Why smile? Our day-to-day lives are full of serious business -- bills to pay, pressures at work, health issues, challenges with our children, past hurts and grievances, the list goes on. What is there to smile and laugh about? Well, we know that if we don’t give our mind (and bodies) a break from the “imprisonment” of seriousness, of “handwringing," we run the risk of encountering serious health issues. This is why we try to take time out from the things that cause us stress and go exercise, or socialize, or go to a movie, play or musical and, yes, smile and laugh; and for a brief moment in time all feels right with the world. Then we go right back to the seriousness of life, to all the issues, challenges, and responsibilities that have been waiting at the door for our return. And again, we say to ourselves, what is there to smile about? Spiritually speaking, the answer is a lot. The Lord has given us plenty of reasons to laugh and smile and it has everything to do with our spirit. This is because our spirit is (or needs to be) the driver -- our spirit (or mind) is responsible for how we choose to interpret that which goes on in our outward life. When we fill our minds with the rational truths of the Lord’s Word, a new kind of affection begins to take root which “produces the cheerfulness and pleasure exhibited in the face by means of laughter” (Arcana Coelestia 2072). The affection for truth slowly transforms a spirit that tends to be heavy and morose into one that is more light-hearted and cheerful. Truth sets us free from the grip of evil so that we end up smiling at it, smiling because we realize it is holding an illusionary power over us. We smile because we realize that evils like self-pity, or holding a grudge, or cynicism or pessimism take so much work and require constant “stroking” to stay alive. Challenge yourself this week to notice the absurdity of evil and falsity. It might make you laugh or at least smile.
By Rev. Derek P. Elphick