Sometimes, my writing can lean towards territory that is a bit too serious, or perhaps in the other direction towards a bit too silly. But sometimes when I write, I tread the purposeful path between those two extremes and talk on a topic that may seem silly, but in actuality is pretty serious. I hope to do that with this little mini-series.

My reason for writing this is a personal one. For years, I have struggled with a question rarely discussed in even the deepest of theology texts. It is the question of whether God has a sense of humor.

Think about it, for a moment. In your years of going to church, have you ever once heard a sermon on God's humor? But my biggest struggle with this is that we were made with the unique capability to find things funny. There is only one creature on Earth that finds it hilarious when monkeys throw their poop, and it's not the monkey (not even the one doing the throwing). There is only one creature on Earth that can't stop giggling when someone sits on a whoopie cushion.

I know that both of those jokes were in the same general area of humor...but hey, I write from what I know.

The main point is this: our ability to laugh and find things funny is not something that came because of the Fall...it came before it. And, rare as they are, there are parts of the Bible that are flat-out hilarious. Take this little gem about storks from Job for example...

"The ostrich flaps her wings grandly, but they are no match for the feathers of the stork.She lays her eggs on top of the earth, letting them be warmed in the dust.She doesn’t worry that a foot might crush them or a wild animal might destroy them.She is harsh toward her young, as if they were not her own. She doesn’t care if they die.For God has deprived her of wisdom. He has given her no understanding.But whenever she jumps up to run, she passes the swiftest horse with its rider." - Job 39:13-18

It's kind of funny stuff.

So in the first part of this, I want to explore the parts of Scriptures that convey God's sense of humor, infrequent as they seem to be. But, on your own, look into God's joy. Because humor, in its purest form, is a direct expression of the joy we feel inside.

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful..." - Proverbs 15:13a

One thing to note first is that, when looking at God's sense of humor, we see an untainted and pure laughter that does not deride or mock. It is not sarcastic or cynical. Just as sin has caused our idea of what love actually is to be warped, I think sin has caused our sense of humor to include things that do not glorify God. There are times, we will see, where satire is useful to provoke thoughtful consideration and investigation of ourselves and our systems, but God never laughs at others' expense.

Part of where we see God's sense of humor in Scripture is in His pointing out of people's sin. Just as He bluntly tells us in Hebrews how we should not be slothful:

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." - Hebrews 6:12

God also uses some pretty funny imagery in Proverbs to convey the point too:

"The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!" - Proverbs 22:13

A lazy person will do just about anything to get out of work. Another example found in Proverbs could quite possibly be the funniest command God has given, and one that people who are not morning-lovers can fully appreciate:

"Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing." - Proverbs 27:14

There are plenty of other examples; and some of the ones specifically related to Jesus we will explore further. But I think that there is a reason why the Bible is not chock full of jokes and God's humor exclusively. God understands that people need a leader they can trust. And part of trusting is knowing that you can take someone seriously. People didn't fall in behind Winston Churchill because he told great jokes. They fell in behind him because, when the tides were high and the chips were down, he could lead people. We don't become believers because of God's humor. We become believers because of His love...because of His sacrifice. Our joy is made complete in His redemption of our bodies.

But how much better can our sense of humor be if we revel in the joy that only comes from God?

In the next writing, I will tackle some of the obstacles Christianity has faced in its journey of humor throughout the ages (I'm looking at you, 1990s Christian comedians). But for now...the next time you talk to God, be sure and thank him for giving you the ability to laugh.