After watching a few funny animal videos on YouTube, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, and then stop and think. Isn’t it fascinating that something we often think of as so human, laughter, play, humor, isn’t really just ours? Animals have it too. That little spark of joy, that playful mischief, it’s there in dogs chasing their tails, cats pouncing on invisible prey, squirrels leaping between trees like acrobats, even horses tossing their heads and galloping with sheer delight. And when I started thinking about it, I realized this isn’t just cute behavior, it’s God’s design.
Humor and play are part of His creation. He wove it into the lives of animals, and they reflect His playful, joyful heart in ways we don’t always notice. Animals aren’t just tools for humans to use; they are creatures with value that is part of who they are.” Their joy is part of the “very good” of creation. Genesis 1:31 says, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” The Hebrew word tov(טוֹב) doesn’t just mean “good enough” or “functional.” It carries delight, pleasure, and beauty. God’s creation is designed not just to survive, but to bring joy. And that includes animals, from the tiniest rabbit hopping in the backyard to the majestic Leviathan of the seas.
Take a dog, for instance. Have you ever watched a dog just lose itself while chasing a ball, rolling in the grass, or prancing in the snow? It’s not survival behavior. It’s delight. Pure joy. Cats, too, have their funny moments, pouncing, flipping over, hiding in boxes, and then attacking a toy like she’s a lioness defending her cubs. Horses play in fields with each other, sometimes kicking up their heels just because they can. Squirrels engage in what looks like little races or games, leaping and tumbling, often in ways that seem…well, kind of funny. Rabbits, with their little ‘binky’ jumps and spins (yes, like a baby sucking a pacifier. Only these binks are pure joy in motion!) These are emotional expressions, not just instinct. God, in His creativity, designed animals to experience joy, and their playfulness mirrors His playful nature.
Even their emotional depth is remarkable. The Greek word pathos (πάθος), meaning “feeling” or “emotion,” is often used in the New Testament to describe Christ’s deep compassion. When we watch a cat purring, a dog wiggling with excitement, or a horse playfully nipping at a friend, we see pathos in action. These creatures experience joy, surprise, affection, and sometimes mischief, emotions that reflect God’s care and delight in creation. Their expressions of happiness are tiny mirrors of the Creator’s own delight.
Play is also important biologically. For mammals especially, it develops physical skills, social bonds, and coordination. Elephants playfully pushing and nudging one another, dolphins tossing objects and chasing each other in the waves, lions wrestling together, these behaviors are part of survival training, yes, but they’re also joyful interactions. Play strengthens social ties and communication. There’s humor in it too. Have you ever seen a puppy chase a squirrel, or a squirrel chase a puppy? They don’t care about food or survival in that moment. They’re just having fun, connecting, enjoying life. God built joy into life, and He made play a way for creatures to interact, grow, and bond.
Even Scripture celebrates this playful joy. Psalm 104:26 says, “There the ships go, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.” The Hebrew raqad(רָקַד) means to dance or frolic, to move with delight. Even Leviathan, a massive and awe-inspiring creature, was created to express joy. This tells us that God doesn’t only delight in us, He delights in His creatures, too. Joy is written into creation itself, from the largest beasts to the smallest backyard pets.
Joy in creation is everywhere.Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence there is fullness of joy.” And that joy isn’t just for humans. It’s in the dogs wagging tails when we come home, the cats chirping at birds outside the window, the squirrels darting through our yards, the horses prancing freely in their pastures. Proverbs 8:30-31 speaks of divine Wisdom: “Then I was the craftsman at His side, I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence, rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind.” Animals, too, reflect that delight. Their laughter, play, and social antics are expressions of God’s joy.
Some animals even show humor in ways that remind us of ourselves. Monkeys laugh, I mean, they really laugh. Their playful teasing, mimicry, and games looks just like human joy. They communicate through play, strengthen bonds, and express delight in ways that are clearly more than instinct. Dogs have their own little comedic routines, from head tilts that say, “I know something funny is happening” to playful antics with their toys. Cats hide in boxes or leap in unexpected ways just to make us, and maybe themselves, laugh. Horses toss their heads or run loops in their paddocks, sometimes just because it’s fun. Even squirrels seem to prank each other with mock chases and clever evasions. All of these behaviors remind us that joy is woven into the very design of life.
Humor in animals mirrors the way laughter heals and connects humans. Watching a dog spin in circles, a cat pounce like a ninja, or a monkey swing gleefully through the trees, we feel joy too. It’s shared, universal, and part of God’s playful design. These moments remind us that God’s creation is more than functional, it’s beautiful, delightful, and full of life.
God’s design includes social play. Elephants gently push, dolphins leap in synchronized joy, young lions tumble together, and even small backyard animals find ways to bond and express delight. Play teaches, strengthens social bonds, and fosters connection. Humor is built in. Joy is built in. And it’s everywhere, from the tiniest ant to the largest whale. Animals remind us that life is meant to be full, rich, and playful.
So the next time you see a dog wagging its tail, a cat leaping in delight, a horse galloping with abandon, or a squirrel tumbling from branch to branch, remember this: it’s not just biological behavior. It’s a reflection of God’s joy. His laughter. His delight in creation. And you’re invited to join in, marvel at His playfulness, and share in that joy.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the delight You’ve woven into all creation. Thank You for animals that play, laugh, and bring joy, reminding us of Your own playful heart. Help us to notice their joy, to share in it, and to reflect Your delight in our own lives. May we live with laughter, wonder, and appreciation for all You have made. Teach us to see the beauty in the little things, the wag of a tail, the leap of a squirrel, the graceful run of a horse, and to be grateful for every playful moment that lifts our hearts. Fill our days with Your joy, and help us carry that delight into our homes, our communities, and the world around us. In Yeshua’s Holy name, Amen and Amen.