God’s Sense of Humor is a Huge Gift
God’s sense of humor doubles me over. Do you think God is rocking away worrying and fretting about the world? Are you kidding? He’s the jolly guy up North minus the red suit. Even so, He enjoys reindeer, riding in fast or slow sleighs, and giving gifts—it’s His nature.
His humor stops me in my tracks. Decades ago, while at work, I was musing about fellow churchgoers and how “dead” they were to Christ’s passion. From a panoramic window, I viewed Canada geese, other wildlife, and trees. On this particular day, summertime views included a marvelous 200-foot high oak tree, except it was dead. In all its grandeur, it stuck out among the other trees like a sore thumb.
While taking a break, crying and interceding for “those church people”, God said. “Do you see that tree? I knew exactly which one He meant. “It’s mighty and dead. Those people are mighty dead.”
Are you laughing yet? I burst out laughing and couldn’t stop. My attempts at intercession were way too serious and God let me know. He wanted me to be more childlike.
God Has a Sense of Humor
If you have children or grandchildren, you notice they start losing their innocent outlook on life after kindergarten. Slowly but surely, world experiences teach them to view life differently. Up until then, they splash in puddles, turn their faces upward to lick raindrops, and giggle at the tickle of a feather.
For children, it’s possible for pigs and rabbits to talk and imaginations run wild while scooping sand or playing on a swing set. Kids play when waiting and believe they can be anything—doctor today, fireman the next. They turn a dust mop into a galloping horse or make smiley faces out of Cheerios. Children squish gooey dirt between their toes before making mud pies.
Yep. Children display God’s sense of humor and playful curiosity because He’s never bogged down by life or death. God remains carefree without putting limits on Himself. His creations made from cosmic dust and dirt portray His love of wonderment built into everything.
God’s Sense of Humor In Nature
I’m pretty sure, aside from a multitude of other reasons, God made animals and all of nature, so we laugh. The permanent smile on a dolphin’s face or a happy-looking bird brings on a grin. Animal antics keep us in stitches. We sigh contentedly at their cuteness or stand in awe viewing God’s creation.
Animals look guilty, contemplative, and inquisitive—we’re not alone in our thoughts. If you’ve had a long, difficult day, animals and nature never judge you. They exist for your pleasure and amusement. God’s sense of humor makes me thankful to Him for making them!
Hilarious scripture that reveals human nature also makes life less burdensome.
God’s Sense of Humor in the Bible
Don’t you think God knew beforehand that men and women would get into jams when living out their faith? Do you hear the roaring laughter from heaven?
One funny biblical episode is Abram and Sarai’s attempts at faith. When Abraham was 75, God told Abraham he would be the father of nations (from his loins). Twenty-five years later (Abraham was 100) his son Isaac was born.
Before that happens, they lose hope (see Genesis 16). Faced with a childless future, Sarah comes up with the really dumb idea to give her handmaid Hagar to Abraham to carry his bloodline to future generations. He stepped up to the plate and ratified the offer! Banter and discontent between the three occur when Hagar becomes pregnant. No surprise there.
Not much has changed between the genders since then.
The sense of humor of God shows up in men and women. We’re entirely different and He expects us to get along (wink). We’re to be fruitful and multiply in every area of life.
Even so . . .
- Women cry at what men don’t even understand.
- Men know exactly what they want to wear. Women stand in front of a full closet claiming they have nothing to wear.
- Women use an arsenal of creams, scrubs, moisturizers, and other lotions. Men use a 3-in-1 formula to wash hands, shampoo, and shower.
- Men are self-reliant (never ask for directions). Women are relational. They love connecting to others so asking for directions is easy.
- Women want a man to tell her every detail about his day. Men give yes and no answers.
- Men prefer focusing on one thing at a time (they have trouble reading and listening at the same time). Women hold a smartphone with one hand, fold laundry with the other, and kick shoes out of their way while watching small hands dip into the cookie jar.
Does God Have a Sense of Humor? Yes!
Jonah disobeys God’s instructions and takes a wild ride in the belly of a whale for 3 days. The fish vomits him onto the shore (I’m thinking seaweed wraps his body). Whatever he’s covered with dries to his skin as he marches to Nineveh to deliver God’s message of destruction. Throughout the ordeal, everyone but Jonah obeys God: the sailors, fish, the wind, the gourd, the Ninevites, the worm.
Nineveh repents so God changes His mind, which really ticks off Jonah. He pouts and sits in the shade. God causes a worm to eat the shade plant (too funny) so Jonah scorches in the hot sun. God has Jonah on His mind (probably giggling all the time) and starts a conversation with him. See how the story ends (Jonah 4).
The Bible is full of such stories: Elijah whining after killing the prophets of Baal, Moses losing control and destroying the first set of the Ten Commandments, frogs hopping about in Egypt, and Rhoda leaving Peter outside knocking on the door (Acts 12:11-16).
There’s no doubt God has a sense of humor and wants us to laugh because He does, often. Start noticing your comical surroundings. As you chuckle and snicker, thank God for His gift of humor He loves to share.