Laughing in the storm
FAITH
“…if you don’t feel like laughing, just ‘fake it till you make it!’ You’ll soon be feeling good about yourself.”
By Rev SEIK PITOI
LAST week, we saw that in the midst of the most depressing times, we should take a moment to lift our hearts in praise and worship to our God! Apart from doing what is necessary to take care of ourselves in adhering to the protocols in place for this pandemic, we as Christian believers must take our eyes off the storm and place them on the Lord Jesus. As we give Him our devotion, He will keep our ship in balance as we sail these turbulent waters of life.
Apart from our faith in our God in these times, may I also suggest we take the time to laugh?
I know there is not much to laugh about and there doesn’t seem to be anything funny out there in the midst of this pandemic. In fact, we seem to hear almost every day the sound of sirens wailing as another poor soul has departed or is being rushed to hospital to seek help! It is quite a sad and depressing time for all.
However, I feel it would be a good idea for some of us to stop reading news of vaccines and Covid deaths and try to be happy; change our frown for a smile and allow humour to come back into our lives and brighten us up.
Indeed, we have heard that laughter is the best medicine as it doesn’t have any side effects! It pays to take a break and look at the funny side of life for a while. As the laughter guru says, if you don’t feel like laughing, just ‘fake it till you make it’! You’ll soon be feeling good about yourself.
I have had the joy of travelling around parts of PNG and overseas for ministry duties since the 1990s. Over the 30 or so years, I have come away with some great jokes (cleans ones, mind you), as told by many of my hosts. Some of these are also native to my home province and village. Most are ‘churchy’ jokes but are not sacrilegious, just humorous. I trust we will understand that! Here are few just to get us started:
- Prophecy fulfilled – or filfulled!
We sat around a fire after a crusade on Djaul Island, Niu Ailan Province, telling stories. Then our host told us about a fiery old local preacher. The said the old man preached about how Christ fulfilled certain prophecies in the Old Testament. But while he preached, he came to the word ‘fulfilled’ and got confused. The old preacher said it back to front thus: “olgeta propesi lo Tok blo God i pilpul”! - Sitting in the wrong tree
The preacher recited the story of Zacchaeus, the Tax collector who climbed a Sycamore tree to see Jesus (Luke 19). In his haste, the preacher mixed up the names, confusing himself with the story of Lazarus being raised from the grave (John 11). As he narrated the story, he mentioned the wrong name, and rather than correcting his mistake, he continued, adding his own twist to the story. He said, “When Jesus looked up, He saw Lazarus sitting in the tree. So He called up, ‘Hey Lazarus come down, that’s Zacchaeus’ tree’”! - Too expensive to ride a boat
In Israel, while at the Sea of Galilee, I heard about the tourist who got angry because the boat operators were charging too much for a boat ride across the lake. After being told the price, the angry tourist said, “With the prices so high around here, it is no wonder the Lord decided to walk on the water, rather than to get a ride”! - A fishy story
In the story about Jonah in the fish’s belly (Jonah 1:1ff), the preacher forgot the name of the city where the fish spat Jonah out. It was Nineveh. But he narrated it thus: “The fish swallowed Jonah and took him to (pause) and went back out again.” He repeated that part over and over, trying to buy time so he could remember the city. After about 3 times, someone called out, “Nineveh”! “Yes that’s it”, the preacher said. Suddenly, a small voice commented from the back – “thank God for calling out the name; the fish almost drowned going round and round in circles”! - Ten Hands
The Sunday school teacher held up two hands and asked the class: “How many hands do I have?” the whole class said “two”. “Wrong”, the teacher replied. He wriggled his fingers and said. “See, I have 10 hands”. He meant fingers! - Monster at Christmas
The pastor at a large church narrated the nativity story. When he talked about the gifts the wise men brought to baby Jesus, he listed them saying, “They brought gifts of Gold, Myrrh, and Frankenstein”. The over enthusiastic in the audience called out the usual “Amen”. However, only a few observant ones giggled when they realised he meant “Frankincense” (Matthew 2:11 KJV). I’m sure there were no monsters given as gifts to Baby Jesus! - Power of God
At Christian Leaders Training College (CLTC) in Banz, the security fence kept getting cut by thieves so authorities ran an electric current through it to give a mild shock to those who wanted to cut it. While a student there, I heard the story of a local man who tried to cut the wire – and got a shock. When he later changed his life by becoming a Christian, he shared his testimony. He said, “Bifo, mi bin laik katim waia na paua bilong God hitim mi na mi pundaun”! (Before, when I cut the wire, the power of God hit me and I fell down). Yes, God’s power does feel like electricity at times! - My church – my offering
My late brother Awi Muki from Hela told about a small church back at home. An old widow opened up a church in her village and people came from all around to attend service every Sunday. She appointed a preacher and the people enjoyed their fellowship. She even collected the offering and kept it. One Sunday, a member asked what she did with the offering money. The old lady was livid. She told the man off: “Yu laikim ofa, yu go kirapim sios blo yu yet. Displa em sios blo mi, ofa blo mi”! (If you want offering, go and start your own church. This is my church, my offering). - A heartfelt thank you
Finally, I must thank you all for reading these few jokes and having a laugh with me. I’m sure you may have found one or two funny ones among them! I’ll finish off with this one:
An Indian gentleman and his wife were invited out to dinner at a friend’s house. After enjoying a sumptuous meal and a pleasant conversation, it was time to go home. The guest thanked the hosts profusely and wanted to convey his gratitude on behalf of him and his wife. He got his words mixed up by saying, “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and from my wife’s bottom too”!
I pray that as we head towards the Christmas holiday, let us all be vigilant and take care of ourselves and our families. Follow the protocols and do all that is necessary to stay safe. Place your trust in God and seek Him daily as you walk in the power of His Spirit. And when you can find the time, take a moment to laugh. Be happy. Share a joke with someone and keep laughing throughout the day. Release those endorphins on the inside. Activate your natural tranquilisers that God has given you.
The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”. Let’s choose a joyful heart, not a crushed spirit. We will help ourselves when we do. And, finally remember, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8: 10).
Rev Seik Pitoi is a freelance writer.