Serious business

When a person has a difficult job, smiling or laughing isn’t always on the table of joy and ease. Certainly, specific beings can make us smile, like a cute little puppy (or kitten) or a handsome big dog (and lion)🦁

On the one hand we sincerely prefer their protection, their strength and steadfast resolve to do whatever it takes to survive the world. We take their cues of head bob and weave as a way to read the environment and adjust accordingly.

On the other hand we are frightened by their always serious demeanor of business as usual. We want, maybe need for them to ‘crack a smile’ to break the ice, the tension, try the difficulties in connection of communication.

It has been noted, wondered and studied whether or not Jesus ever smiled, laughed even. Countless questions have been asked by some of the most notable evangelical leaders whether or not he did or did not smile. We humans are or can be actors, presenters of a truth not yet known.

We go to places where we believe like minded individuals will think like us, places like concerts, movies, church, school.

A good reader is a good actor. As there is difference in reading a play and seeing and listening to it as it is performed, there is difference in reading scripture silently and reading it aloud in church with others of like minds. (tcc)

It has been asked and wondered if Jesus ever smiled or laughed. Well, as a human he had a humility beyond belief and heck he dragged himself to a cross naked and starving to show he was serious. Serious about giving up his life for humans present and those he did not even know thousands of years later.

What made him do this? Perform these actions of invaluable sacrifice. SO the rest of us could sit in wonder forever or so that the rest of us would be in awe of that which we cannot admit is true.

For Bible enthusiasts who read the fine print, over and over, technically, there is no specific verse in the Bible that explicitly states, “Jesus laughed” or ‘Jesus smiled.” (ai). He is surely on record as having wept, having anger feelings and feeling sorrow.

Folks who have studied His words and actions, theologians, discovered Jesus did display the full range of human emotions. His words and actions were His examples of his behavior and proved children loved to come to Him because children are naturally drawn to a person who smiled and was approachable.

Jesus often used irony or hyperbole—such as the image of a camel passing through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24) or a man with a literal wooden plank in his eye (Matthew 7:3). This would have been perceived as humorous by His audience. (AI)

Some critics of Jesus thought Him to be too joyful as Jesus attended the celebratory events like Wedding at Cana and was frequently found eating and drinking with friends. (Luke 7:34) Even way back when there were gossip mongers and monsters.

What’s the point?

In modern times, there is an almost epidemic of labeling with intent to box in behavior that seems out of the ordinary. Explain it away, even with the “He said.” “She said “ of who said what and why. IE He never smiles.She cries too much.

What IS the goal?

Well, like a newborn baby cries to have its needs of food and cleanliness met, so do some adults evolve into immature adults wishing they were able to ‘read the room.’ Recollections, stories and memories are what teach us what was and what can be.

For Jesus, He involved Himself in the serious business of helping others. Service was the name of His game. Although it was not a game to Him. Not at all. For us mere mortals, nowadays there are cries and pleas minute by minute for us to help one another. In some ways and for some people, this comes naturally. Easily and with a joy that it is better to do something rather than nothing at all.

It ain’t for everyone, and no it does not mean a person is a bad person if they do not extend a helping had. Also true that there is no such thing as an act of kindness. Doesn’t have to be a ginormous service project of hundreds of people in order to take space us on the social media air waves of proof.

If you think about it, Jesus was the epitome and creator of the phrase,

’Just Do It!”

It takes a lot of courage and energy to just step in the ring. He knew this then and He whispers to us now.

’Just Do It!”

Little kids can.

Older folks can to.

Even if and when we do not feel out best, just show up. That is about the only rule there is, just show up. It helps the tiniest beings and the old kid seniors, too.

Doesn’t matter if the outcome is a smile or cries. Relief from life’s tough burdens are best dealt with together, even if and when we may not like one another all that much. There is as much safety in numbers as there is from cutting ourselves off from our friends, families, community and what ails us most.

Smile though your heart is aching?

It is worth a shot.

If you smile through your fear and sorrow, who knows?

You may be the pick me up you thought you could not find somewhere or with someone else.

Keep on trying. Even in the most mundane tasks, there is a lesson to be learned, a doubt to conquer, a smile to share with someone going through a tough time.

Whether or not Jesus smiled really isn’t the question. What He did with His intentions was. HE intentionally sought out the most and least of us. He used us as examples of His healing power and wasn’t afraid to show it and show up in the best of times and the worst of times.

Beautiful.

Today. Whatever mood you woke up in, go ahead, give it a try.

’Crack a smile.”😇