I went for a retreat with some colleagues and friends yesterday. Five motorbikes started a bit later than anticipated into the hills of Himachal. Our purpose: bonding, team building, coming closer as co-followers of Jesus.

My back tire started to lose some air without me knowing it, but someone graciously pointed it out to me. I knew I had to get it fixed right away or it would be a much bigger problem when it was fully deflated. So, I turned back to where someone told me there was a repairman.

While I waited there for my turn, a cow came running with a lady behind it. It wasn’t going where she wanted it to go. The repairman helped to head it off and chase it back. The situation was so comical to me that I couldn’t help chuckling. And so, everyone there broke into smiles themselves. This scenario repeated itself twice more and every time we laughed louder. And there it was:

Joy

My tire fixed and back on the road I felt invigorated and relaxed. By now I was very late and everyone else had started with the program. We sang worship songs, read from the Bible and shared messages and sang some more. We talked about and shared the old familiar truths of the Holy Spirit filling us, empowering us for the work he has for us, of the peace He gives us and the joy that He brings.

Joy

Such a small word, but with such a big meaning. And if you don’t have it, nothing you do seems to help much. I found that one can fill up their day with purposeful things, but joy can escape you. Searching for it just makes it seem further away, more unattainable. Joy cannot be found alone. Joy is a result of relationships. And a relationship with God is probably the deepest source of it. “Rejoice in the Lord” says Philippians 4:4.

We played some games – two teams competing against each other. My team lost almost everything and being a competitive person, I didn’t like that much. But, we got to see each other a little bit more clearly. Some of the walls between us started coming down just a bit.

Then there was a non-competitive kind of dance where we had to follow an instructor. This lasted for only 10 minutes, but it ended in an outbreak of such exuberant laughter that it may be the only thing I will remember in a few years from now. Even now I don’t know what was so funny. But one guy found something very funny and started howling with laughter. It was infectious and everyone started laughing so much that some collapsed and others complained of not getting enough air and stomach muscle pain.

Laughter

It is medicine for the soul, a spontaneous de-stressing of the body and the mind. There are a few things as bonding as shared laughter, few things as pleasant, healing and good. Don’t you think we should ROFL more?

Somewhere during the day we had a little time to spend on our own. Some envelopes, each containing a Bible verse and a bit of devotion were placed for us to find. I found one with the verse “Rejoice always.” (Thessalonians 5:16) This clinched it for me. Joy is what I need more of.

Those of you who know me probably don’t know me as the most joyful person. I have a permanent scowl etched into my forehead. It is hard to turn around years of seriousness in a day. I hope it will be possible for me to share more laughter with all of you. I hope the joy that I have through my relationship with Christ will work itself out in my joyful spirit, my enthusiasm for life, the smile on my face.

So, I intend to spend more time with others – especially friendly, positive people, maybe some of the people who shared in the laughter yesterday. I need to spend more time with Jesus, and feel His great joy stir inside of me.

Tell me about your own experience with laughter and joy in the comments. Where do you find joy? What makes you laugh?