God created the octopus—a creepy body that is mostly brain. God also created the sloth. It may not be the dumbest living thing, it just looks that way—slow-moving and slow-witted—with a perpetual half-smile on its face that says, “I know stuff. But I’m not sure.”
The inconceivable immensity of the universe includes all sorts of surprising creations among the 2.6 million living species that have been identified and named on our small planet earth (including 400,000 species of beetles, the largest order). Speculation about why God would create so much is pointless. The fact is, He did. Maybe God created the sloth just because He could. Perhaps this weird little creature with the uncertain smile and eccentric behavior is the twinkle in God’s eye telling us He has a sense of humor?
That thought leads to more speculation about God. I have absolutely no idea about how God looks, or precisely what God does when He is not creating things, but I do know quite a lot about Him from the scriptures He kindly supplied, and from a growing and unfolding relationship with Him over more than half a century. I have experienced—and continue to experience in ever greater measure—His lovingkindness and tender mercies, His extraordinary wisdom, patience, generosity of care and protection (often against my own folly), His guidance and unwavering goodness. I have also learned His uncompromising holiness and stern rebuke when I stray from the path He has ordained for me as one who claims Him as my Savior and Heavenly Father.
When I consider the sloth as evidence of God’s sense of humor, it speaks to me of my Creator’s personal warmth and desire for response from another who appreciates Him and loves Him with unforced and unfeigned love. Unlike the sloth, who knows stuff, but may have doubts, the love between me and God (though imperfect from my side) is sure, and always expanding, and a constant joy.