Canadians are funny.
No, this is not some sort of half-friendly wisecrack about our neighbors to the north. My exposure to the entertainment world (think of such humorists as Dan Akroyd and Mike Myers) as well as personal encounters with Canadians, confirms that there’s something going on here.
A couple of years ago I asked a very funny Canadian about this phenomenon. His opinion: Canadians have a sense of humor because they don’t take themselves too seriously. This remark has stuck with me, not least because I am learning to admire this trait in people, and I find it to be quite helpful when set in the right worldview.
There’s no question that God has wired me to be intense, and I’m sure my intensity often comes through in our blog posts. Some of us are so progress-oriented that we view brushing our teeth as a deeply strategic activity (and all the dentists cheer). However, with hyper-focus on the future comes myopia regarding the present and the past, and an inability to enjoy the life Jesus gives to us moment-by-moment.
It seems to me that Jesus’ instructions not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25,34) help us not to take ourselves as seriously as we otherwise might. Perhaps seriousness about God’s sovereignty and care liberates us to laugh at ourselves and enjoy His blessings. That won’t make us stand-up comedians, but it might make life a little more fun.
While there are certain times where “life is no joking matter”, I do enjoy a good laugh every once in a while. Now, I am talking about the kind of laugh that starts deep in the belly and expresses itself in a way that is contagious to others around you. It is amazing how better I feel after such a laugh. God instructs that a “cheerful heart is good medicine” Prov. 17:22. He always knows best!
Hey, did you hear about the …..
Brian