One of the advantages of being blissfully unaware of so many things is that every day is a revelation, sometimes of something momentous, sometimes of things of little consequence. Take for example, not long ago I was reading an article and happened to notice a detail I’d never seen before. I was excited and couldn’t wait to share my new-found knowledge, impressing everyone. The revelation was that, on every car where the gas gauge is located, there’s a small arrow indicating on which side of the car the gas cap is located! Whoa! Well, I started to impart this info to friends – and was met with nothing but yawns. They, of course, already knew that! (I rarely bring it up these days).
However, at the risk of boring you, let me tell you something I’m learning about the human brain (now you’re intrigued, aren’t you?) I’ve figured the brain to be a subject of study for doctors or neurologists, obviously for neurosurgeons and neuroscientists, but how about neuro-theologians? They are those with a seminary degree who are engaged in counseling. They have long wondered what makes for a healthy brain, one that functions to its fullest. The essential, discovered component? Joy. Yes, joy. Like a car needing gas (or a full electrical charge) to run, a brain needs a full ‘tank’ of joy. You might imagine their excitement at this revelation!
From birth, babies search for a face telling them they are loved and wanted. The most familiar faces, those of mother and father, are the most influential in passing along this information. And so important are those faces (even more important than voices) that should there be a change in those faces, the message is temporarily scrambled. You may have seen a baby’s reaction to seeing dad right after he’s shaved off a full beard. Often there’s confusion, then tears at the disappearance of the ‘face’ providing a sense of love and belonging.
This data then got linked to the tragic results of orphaned infants in over-crowded orphanages where personal, loving contact was minimal if non-existent. The mortality rate of these little ones, without that vital connection, was stunning! It seems the message received was ‘you are not loved or wanted.’ Joy was exhausted and little, joy-starved brains shut down.
What this revealed to the neuro-theologians, was the equally stunning beauty of God’s Word! “The Kingdom of God is . . . filled with righteousness, peace, and joy. Romans 14:17, TPT (emphasis mine). The references throughout Scripture about our loving God are too numerous to mention. Jesus called the disciples his little children, indicating to us that we will always need ongoing reassurances of being loved and wanted (I do, don’t you?). Now I’m really looking forward to seeing all you ‘little children,’ God’s dearly beloved kids, tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK, 4 PM ES. PD
Don graduated from Regent University in 1988 and moved to France for seven years, coming back to the US briefly to marry Sue in 1990. The work in France included working in a Christian School and helping plant a church before returning in 1995. He’s been pastor of Peninsula Vineyard since 1999. He enjoys counseling, especially married couples, traveling back to France (with Sue), reading, doing Sudoku puzzles and sleuthing out good, dark chocolate. Don serves as the senior pastor of the Vineyard Church Peninsula, in Newport News, Virginia.