Ok, so it might sound like a bad B-movie title for years gone by, but in reality this dirty twister is kicking up some dust on Mars.
It really is quite a striking photo and, I am sure, a very impressive show from the ground as well. While this one might not be much fun to tangle with I have always been rather fond of dust devils. The fairly tame cousins of the “twister”, dust devils seem a sudden burst of energy from the normally placid wind.
They seem spirited, whimsical, and fun to me.
I am sure you have seen people with this same tendency in their emotional status. They have sudden and random bursts of energy and joy and then kind of smooth out again.
Truth be told a high level of “happy energy” is hard for anyone to maintain over extended periods of time. Frankly, it is normal for our lives to have an ebb and flow to our emotions.
Sometimes, in certain situations, those swings can be several times in one day. For instance, Jenny and I can go from excitedly energetic about something to beaten in one afternoon. Almost in one hour.
I do think however we can train ourselves to have more bursts of happy energy than is “normal”. You can plan out activities that energize you, choose to be excited about little things until it infects you, or simply surround yourself with people who are excited in truth. All tend to help raise your spirits if you are open to it.
it can be vital to plan on raising your spirits once in a while.
40 So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half of the officials with me; 41 and the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their leader. 43 And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
Nehemiah planned out times of rejoicing and worship. He knew that these would be instrumental in keeping the community focused and full of energy for the work.
Never let anyone tell you that being a Builder is easy or that the work is so fun you just always have the energy for it. Paul once said that he was poured out like a drink. I think that can be a pretty apt description.
You must be intentional about times of praise, worship, and great joy. The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength, without it our work will falter and we will give out before it is done.
Yes, I am saying that every once in a while you have got to party. God wants joyous people full of energy and life. What good would a testimony of tired zombies be? No, Jesus said He came to give us life, and that to it’s fullest.
Some times it takes a bit of work to build up joy and energy when we don’t “feel” like it. Just remember, feelings are not a good sense of reality. Our choices make up reality, not our feelings. So be intentional about bringing joy into your life and party once in a while. Revel in God’s awesome goodness and find His strength for the day.
It is a tad easy for me I guess, I have the best baby in the entire world to play with. THAT brings me great joy.
He brings a great many people joy! God so richly blessed us with this little man!
ReplyDelete"yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:18
"I will" means it is by choice, a determination, not based on feelings but because of who He is and all He has done. He deserves it. If you think of where you've come from and start thanking Him for everything He's done, and don't wind up with a heart of gratitude and joy there is something wrong. You may still be shy on energy, but not on joy.
Thank you for these studies.