Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Someone once asked Mother Teresa what the job description was for anyone who might wish to work alongside her in the grimy streets and narrow alleys of Calcutta. Without hesitation she mentioned only two things: the desire to work hard and a joyful attitude. It has been my observation that both of those qualities are rare. But the second is much rarer than the first. Diligence may be difficult to find but compared to an attitude of genuine joy, hard work is commonplace.

Unfortunately, our fast-paced, affluent culture seems to have lost its spirit of fun and laughter. Recently, a Brazilian student studying at a nearby university told me that what amazes him the most about Americans is their lack of laughter. I found myself unable to refute his criticism.

Just look around. Bad news, long faces, and heavy hearts are everywhere—even in houses of worship (especially in houses of worship!). Visit most congregations today and search for signs of happiness and sounds of laughter, and you often come away disappointed. Joy, “the gigantic secret of the Christian,” is conspicuous by its absence. I find that inexcusable. The one place on earth where life’s burdens should be lighter, where faces should reflect genuine enthusiasm, and where attitudes should be uplifting and positive is the place where this is least likely to be true.

Some critics would be quick to point out that our times do not lend themselves to such an easygoing philosophy. They would ask, “Under these circumstances how could I be anything but grim?” To which I reply, “What are you doing under the circumstances?” Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the Christian life to be lived above the circumstances?

A good sense of humor enlivens our discernment and guards us from taking everything that comes down the pike too seriously. By remaining lighthearted, by refusing to allow our intensity to gain the mastery of our minds, we remain much more objective. People who live above their circumstances usually possess a well-developed sense of humor, because in the final analysis that’s what gets them through.