Josh's Blog
July 14 2008 at 10:00 amApplying “Don’t Waste Your Humor”
4 CommentsEach Monday on the blog, our goal is to provide a few “application questions” based on the Sunday sermon that can be used to help further consider and apply the message. These could be used to spark further discussion for a family, a small group, or be used for reflection in personal devotions.
Yesterday in a message entitled “Don’t Waste Your Humor,” C.J. Mahaney helped us consider from God’s word how we can use the gift of humor to generate joy, cultivate humility, and serve others. You can listen online or download it here.
Here are questions prepared by pastor Brian Chesemore:
1. In C.J.‘s first point, “Humor Generates Joy,” he reminded us that godly humor is a means of transferring joy to a sorrowful soul. Can you recount a recent time where you experienced a burden lifted by the gift of humor?
2. In his second point, C.J. taught us that God uses humor as a means of weakening pride and cultivating humility. Considering the quirks and limitations of our humanity, opportunities abound to laugh at ourselves. How are you intentionally cultivating humility through the means of self-deprecating humor?
3. Given the relationship of humor and humility we should be able to laugh when we are the well-intended object of another’s humor. How do you respond when those who love you draw attention to you in a humorous but less-than-flattering way?
4. Using Ephesians 4:29 as our guide we see that humor, like all speech, is meant to build others up and give grace to those who hear. Are there ways that your humor enables others to experience the encouragement and care of God? Are there any ways in which your humor is an expression of corrupting speech?
And here’s a great quote C.J. shared from Terry Lindvall’s book, Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis:
Laughter is a divine gift to the human who is humble. A proud man cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity; he cannot give himself over to the rocking and rolling of his belly. But a poor and happy man laughs heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego….Only the truly humble belong to this kingdom of divine laughter…Humor and humility should keep good company. Self deprecating humor can be a healthy reminder that we are not the center of the universe, that humility is our proper posture before our fellow humans as well as before almighty God…“I suppose,” wrote C.S. Lewis, “we should mind humiliation less if we were but humbler.”
If you didn’t get to hear the message, I’d encourage you to listen. And please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you how God used this message to affect the way you think about the gift of humor.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
On a side note, yesterday I prayed for and said goodbye to two families—the Caslers and the Nams—who were having their “last Sunday” at Covenant Life. These families have both been long-term, dearly loved members of our church and we’re going to miss them greatly. God has called them to other states because of jobs, and we know God is going to bless them and bless others through them in their new local churches. John and Chung-Hae and Chuck and Ashley, we are very grateful for you!
God used this message to convict me about my high view of myself. My heart does not like when other’s jokingly point out my short comings (ask my care group about my habit of calling people by the wrong name). C.J. helped me see that my response reveals a heart craving the worship of others and lacking in humility. Thank you Josh for asking C.J. to deliver this message. He served us tremendously.
By Nick Tedesco on 07/14/2008Serendipitous! In listening to ESPN radio yesterday I heard part of the late Jim Valvano’s speech just before his death from cancer, he has a tremendous line in it: “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.” Indeed, that is a full, and good, day.
By Bill Higley on 07/17/2008hi. Well, I just listened to the “Dont waste your humor” sermon and was moved to repentance by it. I thank God for how He used CJ to apply His word to my soul :)
By Katherine on 07/25/2008Well, i’m writing ‘cause CJ mentioned they’d be giving out some handouts in the welcome center to those who wanted to deepen their understanding on the topic. Would you consider posting it online for us (COVlife church non-attendees)? I would be very blessed to have that.
thanks and blessings from the Dominican Republic!
Katherine,
Thanks for sharing how CJ’s message affected you—praise God! Unfortunately, we aren’t able to post that handout online for copyright reasons. If you’re interested in the book it came from, it’s the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (InterVarsity Press, 1998). The handout was a copy of pages 407-411.
-Katherine Reynolds
By Katherine Reynolds - Admin on 07/27/2008(Covenant Life Staff)