When we moved 1500 miles north from Texas, it was June, and I had no idea of the difference in daylight hours. My first evening in Montana, I told my wife, Pam, that I was doing yardwork until dark, expecting 8:00pm. I kept working, thinking it would be dark soon. 8:30pm came and went. It was 9:00pm and still light, I couldn’t believe it!
Finally, I understood, “Make hay while the sun shines.” This phrase first appeared in the 1500s and had a literal meaning. Today, it also means, “Don’t waste an opportunity, you might not have it again.” Proverbs 10:5 says, “He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”
It is understandable that church attendance is down in the summer. Often Father’s Day is the least attended Church service of the year. Summertime is great for vacations, enjoying the outdoors, sports and traveling in good weather. Yet, I wonder if an unhealthy mindset could creep in with summertime.
Vacations from work are great and necessary, but when it comes to our relationship with Christ, we are not to take a vacation. While the Bible doesn’t mention vacations, it does say to rest, but from work, not from God (Exodus 20:8-10). In fact, rest is the best time to put Christ first. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
I pray you look at summer in a new light, not only as rest, but as opportunity to grow spiritually. Take a vacation, just not from God. Instead, seek Him who never takes a vacation from us (Hebrews 13:5).
Pastor Phil
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