A sense of humor.

Have you ever wondered about God's sense of humor? I watched a sermon by Pastor Mark Driscoll about humor that got me thinking. God can be funny. Not in a knee slapping, side splitting way, but in a subtle way.

Example?
Have you ever prayed asking God to help you learn patience and then the very next day the most annoying person you know is right in your face for about two hours, or you have to go to the airport and the interstate is backed up for 40 miles? What about praying that God will show you true love and then your girl/boyfriend breaks your heart? You ask God to show you how to trust in Him and he tears down everything in your life until all you have left is Him or running away from the faith.

God doesn't toy around. But He loves Irony.
1. the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning: the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.
2. Literature.
a. a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.
b. (esp. in contemporary writing) a manner of organizing a work so as to give full expression to contradictory or complementary impulses, attitudes, etc., esp. as a means of indicating detachment from a subject, theme, or emotion.

God also enjoys Satire.
1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
3. a literary genre comprising such compositions.

Read the Bible, it is chuck full of God showing us how little we are, not to be mean - but to show us how much we honestly NEED Him. When this happens, it is sardonically funny. It is hard to not slightly chuckle at the idea of Job questioning God's justice and God saying "Who are you to question me? Where you there when I created the world?"

God does the same with us.
Me - "Please Lord, I want to trust you more. Please help me learn how. I am willing to do anything to learn how to love you more."
God - "OK, you want to trust Me. I can make it to where you trust Me, but it may not be what you were expecting."
Me - "OWW!! I actually just prayed that cause I felt convicted one night, not because I actually want to trust you God. I want "Kid Gloves God" not "Creator of the Universe God." Take it easy."

The thing to remember in all this is that God is Good! He always has His best interests at heart and His interest is always what is gonna be best for us when we understand that we are here to bring God glory - it is the chief end of man. Growth is not easy. It never will be. But, when we open our eyes we can see that it is funny. Just like watching the teenage boy stumble around girls and hear his voice crack, watching "teenage" Christians is funny too. Don't take yourself too seriously. Learn to laugh. Next time you ask God to help you grow - be ready for the unexpected. If this life were easy, we would not feel a need for God, even though it would still be there. God is more than just your friend, he is your Lord. Growth won't kill you even if it sometimes feels like it. Remember that the next time your patience is stretched, your heart is bruised, and your faith feels weak.