Why So Serious?

Involuntary smiles. The kind that expose your teeth and make the sides of your eyes crinkle.

It’s the natural response every time a giggling child comes into view or a toddler uninhibitedly dances and sings to their favorite song despite it being the 100th time it’s been played that day alone.

There’s a reason those subjects become viral videos.

Why, then, do we suppress our giggles? Refuse to admit the playfulness that lurks just below the surface? Why, as we grow into adulthood, do we begin to fear the response of others if we fling our arms wide, sing at full voice, and dance with whatever rhythm we possess?

We are wired for joy. Despite that, and against our innate design, we allow the cares of the world to grow up and choke the life out of us. We allow the dimming of the twinkle in our eyes that our Creator placed there and that our Father delights to see. We call it unsophisticated, immature, unprofessional. Some even go so far as to call it unholy.

It’s time that we reclaim joy from the oppressive grip of the enemy.

It’s time that we stop agreeing with the one who would silence our song and steal the dance from our feet.
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It’s time we laugh until we can hardly catch our breath.

Yes, there are things that must be done. Yes, there is a time for work and serious deliberation. Yes, there is darkness in the world. There is also blinding Light. And there is a time for joy.

Unabashed. Unfiltered. Full-out. Loud. Infectious. Joy.

Let’s practice: Find one place and time this week to be out-loud joyful. Tell that voice that says it’s going to make you the center of unwanted attention to hush.  Twirl in dance. Sing. Get with a friend and share the silly thoughts that have occurred to you. Pull out favorite photos or videos and smile at the memories. Play a simple (or complex!) game that you love.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22