40acts: The Lent Generosity ChallengeSample

Laughter is the best medicine – it says so in the Bible (Proverbs 17:22). How often do we see it as a gift to be given? 

The Bible describes cheerfulness as good medicine, and we know there’s a physical benefit to smiling and laughing. Scientifically, even the act of smiling sends us a boost of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, while laughing is a good workout for the body.

The Bible tells us there’s a time to laugh as well as a time to cry. God delights in us so much that He rejoices over us with singing. It’s said that laughter is contagious, so let’s find joy in each other today.

Recently, I was doing a show in the West End. I’d been away from home for months. I came into my dressing room one day to find someone had stuck a Post-it note on my mirror. It was just an encouragement to say that someone cared and had noticed my smile had faded a touch over the past few days. 

Little did they know I was having a really tough time. I was struggling with working away from my family and close friends and living on my own in London. That note lifted me out of the place I was in. I felt I was under a dark cloud and just knowing that someone noticed and wanted me to know made such a difference to my whole week! 

The Bible says ‘the world of the generous gets larger and larger’ (Proverbs 11:24) and it is so true. My wife is one of the most generous people I know. She loves to bless people by picking up the bill at a restaurant, or taking someone flowers if they need cheering up. But to make someone smile, there’s no need to spend lots of money – it only took a Post-it note to brighten my day.

When I first heard about 40acts, it reminded me of a book by Paul Scanlon called The 15 Revolution. The book challenges its readers to lift their faces out of their phone screens and inconvenience themselves by giving 15 minutes of their time to someone, to make their day. God lavishes His attention and love on every one of us. Today, you can do the same.

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 Find more about today’s 40acts challenge on our blog:   

https://40acts.org.uk/act-23-grin/