Ready for Summer

by Elder Randy Slak

Pastor Groves said to me one time long ago, "Summertime is here and the living is easy." Solomon in his book called Ecclesiastes says in Ecc. 11:7," Light is pleasant and it is good for the eyes to see the sun." With all the beautiful sunshine, blue skies, and warm temps, what is there not to enjoy during this period of the year we call summertime? Traditionally it is a time for vacation, travel, fun with family and loved ones outside near the pool, the lake, or the grill. What a great time of the year it is for so many, and how long we seem to have had to wait for it. I love fishing and, Lord willing, I will have chances to do just that throughout the next few months. Early sun rises, late sunsets, and great sleepin' weather are a few of many things we look forward to. Are we leaving Anyone or anything out as we make plans for this great period of time ahead for us?

Colossians 3:1-2, "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2, Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth." God loves the saints as the purchase of His Son's blood. Jesus Christ is refreshing; flight from Him into Christ-less leisure will make the soul parched. The psalmist has resolve for that not to happen in Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you oh God." And why would we agree with him? The great apostle John quotes Jesus in his gospel, 4:14 "whoever drinks of the water I will give him shall never thirst, but the water I give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." Without that to continually slake our thirst, our soul will not be refreshed or healthy. Do not let summer shrivel your soul. Do not stop thirsting for Him in the free time of summer, the consequences can be serious, shallowness, powerlessness, and vulnerability to sin, no delight or desire in worship and the things of the Spirit and fellowship on a Sunday morning, the best day of the week.

Peter's word to us about that would be in Acts 3:19-20, "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Summer is a foretaste of heaven, not a substitute. The devil is the father of lies and deceptive in so many ways. He will try to convince you that there is more treasure in summer and the things that summer has to offer than the treasure we have who always speaks the truth. He is an ever-flowing fountain, an ever-shining light, ever interceding for us, ever guiding us by His gracious Spirit, and ever working on our behalf to ensure that we will benefit from His care.

English Puritan William Gurnall comments, "We cost Him dear, and that which is so hardly got shall not be easily lost. He that was willing to expend His Son's blood to gain them will not deny His power to keep them." Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of summer, and for that matter, the refreshing center of all seasons. You may have great memories of summer, especially if you love the outdoors, I have many as well. One I will share is that by the grace of God whose name I want to praise continually, did on one night 50 years ago on a warm July summer night, help our Cub Scout softball team the Holy Apostles Saints defeat the Calhoun Cubs for the championship game 4 to 3, I still remember so many events that happened that wonderful night, including still the trophy that sits on my bookcase that no one can take away from us. Oh summertime, what a great time to enjoy and make memories during.

To finish, what will you do with the time He gives you this summer? Will it be that whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, that you will do all to the glory of God? Do not forget Him who sticks closer than a brother, do not forget Him who upholds you by His righteous right hand, and do not forget the One whose palms of His hands you are inscribed upon.

Enjoy Him and the summer He prepared for you to enjoy!