A Serious Look at Joy

(Part 1)

Does God Have a Humorous Side?

Defining humor, Funk and Wagnalls dictionary says the following: "Disposition of mind or feeling; caprice; freak; whim. A facetious turn of thought; playful fancy; drollery. The capacity to perceive, appreciate, or express what is funny, amusing, comic, absurd or incongruous quality causing amusement. The capacity to make something to seem funny, ludicrous."

Joy is the emotion of great delight, happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation; rejoicing.

Laughing and finding joy in life are a built-in mechanism God gave us for having a good life.

Physical expression of the emotion of joy, and terms for rejoicing, are mentioned often in Scripture: Singing, clapping, dancing, shouting, making noise, leaping or stamping the feet. Occasions for joy include feasting and offering sacrifice, celebrating harvest or victory, enjoying prosperity, recovery of health, and as part of public worship (The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible Volume 2, 1990 Abingdon Press, p.1,000).

It’s marvelous how many ways God gave us to express our joy and how many occasions we are stirred to do so: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy" (Psalms 47:1)

Psalm 98:8 describes earth as being joyful.

Joy has a wonderful emotional range, from outrageously wacky to light hearted puns to calm smiles, thanks to our brilliant, creative designer.

Does God have a sense of humor? Considering creation, as well as Scripture, it appears our Creator has a humorous side. There are numerous animals with quirky, expressive faces and behaviors—the baboon, ostrich, koala bear, walrus and skunk. And what about the marine bird called the blue-footed booby? Never mind silly baby animal shenanigans! God created the animals and had Adam name them. Can you imagine the comical moments he might have had doing that?

It’s marvelous how many ways God gave us to express our joy and how many occasions we are stirred to do so.

Consider an overly active chipmunk scurrying back and forth for no apparent reason. How could God create chipmunks and so many funny animals and not smile or hope that it makes his children burst out laughing? Could it be God’s way of giving us a lighter moment?

(to be continued)