A Pastoral Word. . . Boogie at the Pump
Rev. Kevin Freeman
July 13, 2023
Not long ago, a gas station made headlines when it became the site of a fair amount of impromptu dancing. Why would people dance at a gas station? They were prompted to do so by a sign that read:
Today Only
Do a silly dance walking in
If we like it - $5 gas free on us
Do a silly dance walking in
If we like it - $5 gas free on us
With the promise of free gas, customers’ inhibitions melted away, yielding to exhibitions of their dancing skills. Video evidence shows that talent was not a prerequisite to dancing! Though the reward was small, gas does not seem to be getting any less expensive, and every little bit of fuel helps.
Every little bit of joy helps, too. Joy is a different sort of fuel – an alternative fuel.
We all know how to keep our gas tanks full – painful though it may be sometimes. How do we keep our joy tanks full? Listen to what Jesus had to say:
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11-12).
Our Savior invites us to a different dance of sorts. The dance moves are laid out in the Bible’s loving commands. When we obey God, we not only abide in His love but also keep our joy tanks filled.
Did you know joy has medicinal benefits? Writing for the website Healthline, Carrie Murphy states, “On a scientific level, we feel joy in our neurotransmitters, which are tiny chemical ‘messenger’ cells that transmit signals between neurons (nerves) and other bodily cells. Those neurotransmitters are responsible for processes and feelings in almost every aspect of the body, from blood flow to digestion.” These happy neurotransmitters improve the health of our brain, nervous system, circulatory system, and more. According to research conducted through Berkely, joy (or happiness) can predict lower blood pressure, reduce aches and pains, protect your immune system, and decrease stress.
Once again, God shared about the health benefits of joy in His Word long ago. We find in Proverbs, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (17:22).
So, how full is your joy? Take some time to fill your joy tank by following our Lord’s commands and abiding in His love.
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
Every little bit of joy helps, too. Joy is a different sort of fuel – an alternative fuel.
We all know how to keep our gas tanks full – painful though it may be sometimes. How do we keep our joy tanks full? Listen to what Jesus had to say:
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11-12).
Our Savior invites us to a different dance of sorts. The dance moves are laid out in the Bible’s loving commands. When we obey God, we not only abide in His love but also keep our joy tanks filled.
Did you know joy has medicinal benefits? Writing for the website Healthline, Carrie Murphy states, “On a scientific level, we feel joy in our neurotransmitters, which are tiny chemical ‘messenger’ cells that transmit signals between neurons (nerves) and other bodily cells. Those neurotransmitters are responsible for processes and feelings in almost every aspect of the body, from blood flow to digestion.” These happy neurotransmitters improve the health of our brain, nervous system, circulatory system, and more. According to research conducted through Berkely, joy (or happiness) can predict lower blood pressure, reduce aches and pains, protect your immune system, and decrease stress.
Once again, God shared about the health benefits of joy in His Word long ago. We find in Proverbs, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (17:22).
So, how full is your joy? Take some time to fill your joy tank by following our Lord’s commands and abiding in His love.
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
Healthline. “The Effects of Joy on Your Body,” June 27, 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/affects-of-joy.
Greater Good. “Six Ways Happiness Is Good for Your Health.” Accessed July 11, 2023. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_happiness_is_good_for_your_health.
Greater Good. “Six Ways Happiness Is Good for Your Health.” Accessed July 11, 2023. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_happiness_is_good_for_your_health.
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