--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tremendous freedom comes when we can…" description: "\"“Tremendous freedom comes when we can laugh at ourselves and whisper to him, \"So! It's been you all along!\" In some ways that day will be the true begi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/timothy-j-keller-3733_freedom_tremendous-freedom-comes-when-we-can-lau_174321.jpg" --- # Tremendous freedom comes when we can laugh at ourselves… ![“Tremendous freedom comes when we can laugh at ourselves and whisper to him, "So! It's been you all along!" In some ways that day will be the true beginning of your career as a preacher and teacher of God's Word.” quote by Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/timothy-j-keller-3733_freedom_tremendous-freedom-comes-when-we-can-lau_174321.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/timothy-j-keller-3733_freedom_tremendous-freedom-comes-when-we-can-lau_174321.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54b/timothy-j-keller-3733_freedom_tremendous-freedom-comes-when-we-can-lau_174321.jpg) > ““Tremendous freedom comes when we can laugh at ourselves and whisper to him, "So! It's been you all along!" In some ways that day will be the true beginning of your career as a preacher and teacher of God's Word.”” [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑deprecating humor and humility open doors to authentic ministry and personal growth. **In simple terms:** Laughing at yourself helps start a true teaching career. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and humor in your calling. Themes spirituality leadership personal development Mood encouraging hopeful Type inspirational motivational When to use this quote - church leadership - seminary training - personal mentorship Key Concepts humility self‑awareness faith teaching Questions to Reflect On - How can humor strengthen your ministry? - When does humility become self‑criticism? A Different Perspective Humor may be misread as lack of seriousness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) ## Related quotes > [My mother was the strength. She was the anchor. She was a preacher and a teacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-johnson-sirleaf/my-mother-was-the-strength-she-was-the-anchor-she-was-a-preacher-and/) [Ellen Johnson Sirleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-johnson-sirleaf/) > [If I go to a reunion in east Texas, my mother's side or my father's, one out of ten is a preacher or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forest-whitaker/if-i-go-to-a-reunion-in-east-texas-my-mother-s-side-or-my-father-s/) [Forest Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forest-whitaker/) > [“LOGS To be a preacher or a teacher; that is the question – Aye, for all hearers knoweth that; A sin of thought is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chergui/logs-to-be-a-preacher-or-a-teacher-that-is-the-question-aye-for-all/) [Sarah Chergui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chergui/) > [The private sector enjoys tremendous freedom in the U.S, as it should. With freedom, however, comes responsibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernice-king/the-private-sector-enjoys-tremendous-freedom-in-the-u-s-as-it-should/) [Bernice King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernice-king/) > [There's something to be said for being given a tremendous amount of freedom as an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemarie-dewitt/there-s-something-to-be-said-for-being-given-a-tremendous-amount-of/) [Rosemarie DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemarie-dewitt/) > [One of my greatest times of inspiration is when I'm traveling or living in a new country - there's a tremendous freedom that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-edwards/one-of-my-greatest-times-of-inspiration-is-when-i-m-traveling-or/) [Kim Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-edwards/) > [It is a tremendous freedom to get rid of all self-considerat ion and learn to care about only one thing-the relationship between Christ and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/it-is-a-tremendous-freedom-to-get-rid-of-all-self-considerat-ion-and/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Turner Broadcasting went from a very entrepreneurial, risk-taking company where I had a tremendous amount of freedom and autonomy to a corporate, bureaucratic nightmare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bischoff/turner-broadcasting-went-from-a-very-entrepreneurial-risk-taking/) [Eric Bischoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bischoff/) > [I like to work in costumes, makeup, and hair that allow me tremendous freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-lange/i-like-to-work-in-costumes-makeup-and-hair-that-allow-me-tremendous/) [Jessica Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-lange/) > [“freedom comes with understand who you are..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semanyenzi-richard/freedom-comes-with-understand-who-you-are/) Semanyenzi Richard > [Freedom is a double-edged ideal, because true freedom comes without the protection of laws that also enslave us by defining us--female, male; Christian, Islamic;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/freedom-is-a-double-edged-ideal-because-true-freedom-comes-without/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [“True freedom comes about through confidence in liberating any & all thought states.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsoknyi-rinpoche/true-freedom-comes-about-through-confidence-in-liberating-any-all/) [Tsoknyi Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsoknyi-rinpoche/) > [And freedom comes with grace, kindness, understanding, and love. Don't take anything personal, folks. Whatever is said about you or rumored or you heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-busey/and-freedom-comes-with-grace-kindness-understanding-and-love-don-t/) [Gary Busey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-busey/) > [The real freedom comes to us when we can learn to go inside and connect with that voice. Then, we're not relying on outsiders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/echo-bodine/the-real-freedom-comes-to-us-when-we-can-learn-to-go-inside-and/) [Echo Bodine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/echo-bodine/) > [Freedom comes in individual packages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-boone/freedom-comes-in-individual-packages/) Shirley Boone ## More by Timothy J. Keller > [“The choice is ours. If we want to be sure to experience this vision by sight hereafter, we must know it by faith now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/the-choice-is-ours-if-we-want-to-be-sure-to-experience-this-vision-by/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“It is worth asking ourselves: Where am I saying “I can’t” but God is saying “You won’t”? Israel’s failure to obey was based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/it-is-worth-asking-ourselves-where-am-i-saying-i-can-t-but-god-is/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“The same sun that melts wax hardens clay.” In other words, what makes a life “good” is not a particular set of circumstances, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/the-same-sun-that-melts-wax-hardens-clay-in-other-words-what-makes-a/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Is there anyone or anything that can separate me from Christ’s love for me? And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/is-there-anyone-or-anything-that-can-separate-me-from-christ-s-love/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Then, suddenly, the defense comes in with a new witness who can be proved to have been at the scene of the crime! The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/then-suddenly-the-defense-comes-in-with-a-new-witness-who-can-be/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“God’s call to his people (then and now) is to combine spirituality with bravery. True discipleship is radical and risk-taking, because true disciples rely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/god-s-call-to-his-people-then-and-now-is-to-combine-spirituality-with/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“It needs to be said that faith-journeys are never simply intellectual exercises.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/it-needs-to-be-said-that-faith-journeys-are-never-simply-intellectual/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then to ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/the-only-way-to-doubt-christianity-rightly-and-fairly-is-to-discern/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Paul is not saying that I must have nothing to do with the people and things of the world. Ironically, if I must have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/paul-is-not-saying-that-i-must-have-nothing-to-do-with-the-people-and/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Religion is not the place where the problem of man’s egotism is automatically solved. Rather, it is there that the ultimate battle between human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/religion-is-not-the-place-where-the-problem-of-man-s-egotism-is/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Atheists and agnostics ask for this kind of “proof” for God, but are not alone in holding to strong rationalism. Many Christians claim that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/atheists-and-agnostics-ask-for-this-kind-of-proof-for-god-but-are-not/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Without socially shared discovered meaning we have no basis for saying to somebody else: “You need to stop doing that!” Created meanings cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/without-socially-shared-discovered-meaning-we-have-no-basis-for/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Christianity does not agree with the optimistic thinkers who say, “We can fix things if we try hard enough.” Nor does it agree with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/christianity-does-not-agree-with-the-optimistic-thinkers-who-say-we/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“Everything we know in this world is “contingent,” has a cause outside of itself. Therefore the universe, which is just a huge pile of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/everything-we-know-in-this-world-is-contingent-has-a-cause-outside-of/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) > [“As future citizens of heaven, Christians must see and avoid the idolatries and injustices of their culture, even as they continue to enjoy its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-j-keller/as-future-citizens-of-heaven-christians-must-see-and-avoid-the/) [Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) [Explore all 119 Timothy J. Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-j-keller/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. 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Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Tremendous freedom comes when we can laugh at ourselves and whisper to him, \"So! It's been you all along!\" In some ways that day will be the true beginning of your career as a preacher and teacher of God's Word.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Timothy J. 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