Rediscovering Joy: Embracing Light and Laughter

Summary

In the midst of the cold Wisconsin winter, it's easy to feel the blues and blahs. Yet, God offers us a light that pierces through our darkest days, as reflected in the words of Isaiah. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, and this light is the joy that God has placed in our lives. This joy is not just a fleeting happiness but an exultation, a deep, overflowing joy that we are called to share with others. Life can be challenging, filled with moments of anxiety, depression, and unfairness, but God created us with the capacity for joy and connection.

Reflecting on my personal journey, I have struggled with weight, depression, and anxiety, especially after the loss of my mother and my father's illness. I found solace in food, but it was an unhealthy relationship. This year, I've been on a journey to rediscover joy in healthier ways. I've reconnected with activities that bring me joy, like playing virtual reality games and music. These activities not only bring me joy but also allow me to share that joy with others, multiplying exultation as Isaiah describes.

Laughter is another powerful gift from God. It brings us together, breaks down emotional barriers, and even aids in healing. I recall a family vacation where laughter brought us closer, and even during times of grief, laughter helped us process our emotions. This week, I encourage you to embrace laughter as a spiritual practice. Watch a funny movie, play a game, or simply find moments of joy each day. Let laughter be the light that shines through your blues and blahs, spreading God's joy to those around you.

Key Takeaways:

- Exultation Beyond Happiness: Exultation is a profound joy that surpasses mere happiness. It is a joy that overflows and is meant to be shared with others, reflecting the light of God in our lives. In times of darkness, we are called to multiply this joy, spreading it to those around us. [01:14]

- Rediscovering Joy in Life: Life's challenges can lead us to unhealthy coping mechanisms, but God invites us to rediscover joy in healthier ways. By engaging in activities that bring genuine joy, we can reconnect with the joy God has placed in our hearts and share it with others. [04:36]

- The Healing Power of Laughter: Laughter is a divine gift that unites us, breaks down emotional barriers, and promotes healing. It is a spiritual practice that can help us navigate through grief and difficult times, opening us up to God's joy and love. [12:17]

- Finding Joy in Everyday Moments: Joy can be found in simple, everyday activities. Whether it's playing an instrument, engaging in a hobby, or spending time with loved ones, these moments of joy are opportunities to experience and share God's light. [09:04]

- Laughter as a Spiritual Practice: Embracing laughter as a spiritual practice can transform our lives. By intentionally seeking out moments of joy and laughter, we can lighten our burdens and spread God's joy to those around us, becoming beacons of light in a world that often feels dark. [14:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:14] - The Light of Joy in Darkness
- [02:41] - Multiplying Exultation
- [04:36] - Personal Journey of Rediscovering Joy
- [06:48] - Virtual Reality and Joy
- [09:04] - Sharing Joy Through Music
- [10:45] - Family Laughter and Healing
- [12:17] - Laughter in Grief
- [14:01] - Laughter as a Spiritual Practice
- [14:01] - Embracing Joy Daily

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:1-4

Observation Questions:
1. What does the passage from Isaiah say about the people who walked in darkness? How is this relevant to the sermon? [01:14]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between happiness and exultation? [02:41]
3. What personal experiences did the pastor share about finding joy in healthier ways? [04:36]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the role of laughter in healing and connection? [12:17]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that exultation is meant to be shared with others? [02:41]
2. How does the pastor's personal journey with weight and depression illustrate the concept of rediscovering joy? [04:36]
3. What role does laughter play in the pastor's family experiences, and how does it relate to the idea of spiritual practice? [12:17]
4. How does the sermon connect the idea of finding joy in everyday moments with the biblical concept of light in darkness? [09:04]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How can you intentionally seek out joy in healthier ways, as suggested in the sermon? [04:36]
2. The sermon encourages embracing laughter as a spiritual practice. What specific activities can you incorporate into your week to bring more laughter into your life? [14:01]
3. Consider the people in your life who might be walking in darkness. How can you share the joy and light of God with them this week? [01:14]
4. Identify a hobby or activity that brings you joy. How can you use this activity to connect with others and multiply joy, as described in the sermon? [09:04]
5. The pastor shared about using virtual reality to find joy. What unconventional methods might you explore to discover new sources of joy in your life? [06:48]
6. Think about a recent moment of laughter with friends or family. How did it impact your relationships, and how can you create more opportunities for such moments? [10:45]
7. How can you make laughter and joy a regular part of your spiritual practice, especially during difficult times? [12:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Exultation as a Shared Light
In the midst of life's challenges, there exists a joy that transcends mere happiness. This joy, referred to as exultation, is a profound and overflowing sense of delight that God has placed within us. It is not meant to be kept to ourselves but shared with others, reflecting the light of God in our lives. When we find ourselves in darkness, we are called to multiply this joy, spreading it to those around us. This shared joy becomes a beacon of hope and light, illuminating even the darkest of days. [01:14]

Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the light of your joy today, and how can you intentionally share it with them?

Day 2: Rediscovering Joy in Healthy Ways
Life's challenges can often lead us to seek comfort in unhealthy coping mechanisms. However, God invites us to rediscover joy in ways that are life-giving and healthy. By engaging in activities that genuinely bring us joy, we reconnect with the joy God has placed in our hearts. This joy is not only for our benefit but is meant to be shared with others, multiplying the exultation in our communities. Whether it's through hobbies, creative pursuits, or spending time with loved ones, these activities can help us find joy in the everyday moments of life. [04:36]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: What is one activity that brings you genuine joy, and how can you incorporate it into your life this week to reconnect with God's joy?

Day 3: The Healing Power of Laughter
Laughter is a divine gift that has the power to unite us, break down emotional barriers, and promote healing. It is a spiritual practice that can help us navigate through grief and difficult times, opening us up to God's joy and love. Laughter can transform our lives, lightening our burdens and spreading God's joy to those around us. By intentionally seeking out moments of joy and laughter, we become beacons of light in a world that often feels dark. [12:17]

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV): "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when laughter brought healing or connection. How can you create more opportunities for laughter in your life this week?

Day 4: Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
Joy is not confined to grand events or achievements; it can be found in the simple, everyday moments of life. Whether it's playing an instrument, engaging in a hobby, or spending time with loved ones, these moments of joy are opportunities to experience and share God's light. By being present and attentive to these moments, we can cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and joy in our daily lives. [09:04]

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (ESV): "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man."

Reflection: What simple activity or moment in your daily routine can you approach with more gratitude and joy today?

Day 5: Laughter as a Spiritual Practice
Embracing laughter as a spiritual practice can transform our lives. It is a powerful tool that can help us navigate through life's challenges, lighten our burdens, and spread God's joy to those around us. By intentionally seeking out moments of joy and laughter, we can become beacons of light in a world that often feels dark. Let laughter be the light that shines through your blues and blahs, spreading God's joy to those around you. [14:01]

Job 8:21 (ESV): "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting."

Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate laughter into your spiritual practices this week, and who can you invite to join you in this joyful journey?

Quotes

"Today we are continuing our worship series about how God brings light to our dark days. It's winter in Wisconsin and we can feel a lot of blahs. Today it's super, super cold, although it looks like we've got some sunshine today. But what do we do when we're feeling blah and blue? And how does God connect with us and give us special things that we can do to feel the joy that God created for our lives?" [00:00:08] (24 seconds)

"But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined." [00:00:37] (26 seconds)

"Now, I don't want to say that I'm going to read all of this, but I do want to say that I'm going to read all of this. I don't know about you, exultation is not a word that I use very often in my life anymore. We talk a lot about joy and happiness, but exultation is like taking joy to the next level. And when we read this passage, we are reminded that God's people have spent many times with blues and anxiety and depression." [00:01:26] (22 seconds)

"God gave us the gift of joy, a joy that leads to exultation, overflowing joy that just spreads all over the place that we can't contain within ourselves. We've seen people who are just quivering with joy. That's exultation. And our reading today suggests that we are to be multiplying exultation, that it's not just for us, it's to share with everyone. It's the huge joy we have at the end of the harvest season when we see that there is plenty." [00:02:41] (31 seconds)

"But how often do we take time to feel joy and happiness in our lives? How often do we wallow in cynicism and skepticism and depression? Now, there are times when we have... We have serious mental health issues, and I encourage you, if you are experiencing that, to make sure you get the help and support that you need. Perhaps you've got friends and family that can help you. Perhaps you need to look into medical services with therapists and psychiatrists and perhaps even medication." [00:03:13] (31 seconds)

"There are spiritual practices we can do that help us connect more with the joy that God has placed in the world today and help us lighten up and enjoy God's creation. Now, some of you may have noticed that I look a little different these days. Here's a picture of what I look like in Christmas of 2023. I have now lost... 50 pounds this year. And I'm feeling great. I'm feeling better. But it's been a long journey. I have tried many things over the years. I've struggled with my weight for a long time." [00:04:04] (33 seconds)

"And a big part of my weight problem came from depression and anxiety. I put on the weight after my mother got sick and passed away and after my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in his 50s. I just kind of gave up. But the other part of it is as I've been losing weight now, while I'm using weight loss drugs, to help me in this process. I've come to realize that I really loved food. I found a lot of joy in food. Now, God made food to be tasty. God made food for us to enjoy it." [00:04:36] (32 seconds)

"This is one of the things that I've realized brings me joy. I feel good moving my body like this. I love the music. I love the scenery. Another thing that brings me a lot of joy is playing the ukulele and the guitar and I've started offering some lessons here at church and it seems that I am bringing joy to other people. I am multiplying the exaltation through sharing the joy of ukulele playing with some people here at church." [00:07:58] (27 seconds)

"There's a saying that laughter is the best medicine. And laughter is a gift that God has given us. God created us to be able to laugh. Laughter brings us together. Laughter feels good. And laughter helps us break through emotional barriers at times. There are medical doctors that have come to see that in hospitals, if people are laughing, they heal faster. They get better faster. It is literally the best medicine." [00:10:12] (31 seconds)

"The summer before my daughter started college, my son was starting 10th grade, we decided to go out and visit my sister in Colorado and take a two-week vacation and drive through a whole bunch of the Rocky Mountains and have one last really big family vacation together. Because we knew once my daughter started college, she was often going to be doing other things over the summer and we weren't going to have a lot of summers together anymore." [00:10:45] (25 seconds)