God is Funny

Some may think that God doesn’t have a sense of humor. Others might say, “Oh yeah? Look at some of the creatures on Earth.” I would say He is. I mean, we are created in His image, and we laugh because of something funny.

When April and I first met, we argued about who was funnier. She finally conceded that I was although she has her moments! Well, the other day, I was playing a game on my phone titled “4 Pics 1 Word.” I play it when I have some downtime, like when waiting for April to get off work. Another reason I play it is to try to keep my mind sharp. I think it is slipping some, which bothers me. I have often prided myself on having problem-solving skills and not overlooking things. This is not funny, but last weekend, I was looking toward the south, hoping to see the Northern Lights. I didn’t and I do know my directions very well.

The game shows you four pictures and several scrambled letters that contain the word that links the pics together. (See the above picture of the game at level 1.) It sounds easy, but there are challenging levels. The goal is to figure out the word by looking at the four pictures. I was on a “Super Hard Level,” and I was struggling. I tried off and on for hours to figure it out but couldn’t. I refused to pay for help with my game coins, too. The four photos were of firewood stacked up, a wind generator, an old minor, and a large library.

I was about to go to bed defeated for the day when I suddenly heard in my spirit, “Why don’t you ask me?” I laughed and replied, “God, you don’t play games.” Now, I have written several times about asking God anything because He is a know-it-all. And I mean that with deep respect. So, after a moment, I said, “Okay, God. What is the word?” Immediately, I heard, “Resource.” I tried it, and it worked. That was the word. I started laughing so hard and said, “God, you are so funny!”

Here again, I am telling you that God loves you and me so much. He sincerely cares about us and what matters to us. He wants to help us with our lives. Usually, He is dealing with matters of health, emotions, and finances. God is our “Resource” for life. Did you see what I did there? LOL. I hope you have the kind of relationship with God, the Creator of the universe, as I do. He is a living God and not a statue or teacher who has lived, taught and has since passed away. You can talk to Him, and He will answer. And once in a while, He might be that friend that you phone for help with a game.

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). Jer. 33:3 (AMPC)


Side note:
An example of God’s humor is the instance in which the Israelites were using the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm in taking it to battle, and the Philistines ended up capturing it and placing it in their temple before their idol of Dagon. They came into the temple the next day and found Dagon flat on his face before the ark. They set him back up. The next morning, there he was again, but this time he had his hands and head cut off as a symbol of his powerlessness before the God of the ark (1 Samuel 5:1-5). God’s putting Dagon in a position of submission to His ark is a comical picture.
(Source: https://www.gotquestions.org)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Christmas Cards

SENDING CARDS
Sending Christmas cards may soon be a thing of the past. I look at it as a way to say, “Hi. I’m still alive. I hope you are, too, and I wish you God’s best for the holiday season.” I once had a tradition where people received my Christmas card the day after Thanksgiving. I did it because I moved so much. I wanted them to have my new address! One year, I received a lady’s Christmas card in September. Inside, she wrote, “By God, you weren’t going to beat me this year!”

FUNNIEST CARD
The funniest card I ever received was in 2020. On the cover, it showed a Christmas tree made from stacked toilet paper rolls. (Leftover from the COVID pandemic. Thanks, Patty.)

MEANINGFUL CARD
There was one card that a friend of mine and I sent back and forth for twenty-nine years. It was the same card. We would find an open spot and sign our name with the year. I calculated that the card had traveled back and forth across America some 22,000 miles. The tradition ended when I lost the card in Chicago. I felt as if I had lost my friend. Two years later, I did.

FAVORITE CARD said:
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior!

That card said it all. It shared what our greatest need was and what God did about it. If you have not accepted God’s gift of salvation, then it should be the first gift you open this Christmas. In fact, you can open it early and do it now! God is still meeting needs today. He is capable of meeting yours if you let him. Ask, and then believe that He will answer in the best way possible. He knows all the details. The ones we see and the ones we don’t.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 4:19 (NIV)

You may find yourself struggling this holiday season. It’s hard to be concerned with world issues when your issues feel as big as the world. Remember this: God sees you, loves you, and knows what your needs are. Give him a chance to show himself strong in your life.

And back to Christmas cards, take the time to send someone a card. Perhaps they are someone who doesn’t expect to be remembered this holiday season. I assure you, it will meet at least one need in their life.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady