As the summer’s heating up a lot of things slow down for the season. School’s out and the barbecues are sizzling. Lazy days in the backyard, camping trips, cottage time, beaches and concerts are filling up our calendars. An unofficial sense spreads across the land that now is the time for slowing down, relaxing and having a good old time. The winter blues are behind us, with its steady plod of work and school and snow shoveling. Now it’s time for waterwings and fishing poles, wakeboards and splashpads; for cold beer and lounge chairs, marshmallows and fireflies. Yes, the summertime can be a sweet time for family and friends and entertainment and fresh air. And a time of setting aside some of life’s pressures and demands and frustrations and settling down to something simpler. But as we engage the beauty of summer and invest in family and having fun there is something we must absolutely not do. There is a clear and present danger. As we take a break from some things in our life this summer to enjoy ourselves, we must not take a break from Jesus.
We are tempted to take “vacation” from the more serious, the more challenging, the more disciplined things.
I think many of us would agree it can be rather easy to do. Many of us are away weekends and can’t get to Sunday worship. Our small groups often go on hiatus until the fall. You’re on a road trip or at the cottage or visiting friends or chasing after the kids and even the day of the week gets forgotten. The days just race by. Our daily rhythms get forgotten. We indulge ourselves a little more. We sleep in a little more. We eat and drink a little more. We are tempted to take “vacation” from the more serious, the more challenging, the more disciplined things. And so our Bibles get read a little less and our prayer times become fewer and farther between. Our times of praise and worship and Christian fellowship get put on hold. And we find a summer full of indulging pleasures and earthly adventures yet, too often, a summer lacking in spiritual growth and purposeful engagement with the Living God.
So as we all begin to settle into the summer season here are four things good to remember:
1. God is always with us
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
Psalm 139:7-10
Whether we are cruising around the marina, setting up our tent, stuck in weekend traffic, sunbathing on the beach, doing puzzles on a rainy day, or sitting by the campfire– no matter where we are and what we’re doing this summer– God is there. We haven’t left him behind at church buildings or services. We don’t reunite with him in September. There is nowhere we can go that he is not there. There is nowhere we can go that he cannot hear us when we speak or where he doesn’t long for and command us to engage with him.
2. We are always the Church
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
1 Cor 3:16
The Church is not a place we go on Sundays. It is the people of God, his children, saved by grace through faith, born again by the work of God’s Spirit into Christ Jesus the Lord of all. This doesn’t change or waiver or morph depending on where you are. If you are playing beach volleyball you are a child of God playing beach volleyball. If you are paddling a kayak you are a member of the nation of God paddling that kayak. If you are sitting on the dock watching the sunset you are a born again new creation in Christ sitting there on your dock. You don’t take vacation from being God’s child. You don’t take a break from being in Christ and his Spirit being in you. It is who you are and no matter where you go this summer or what you do, if you are a Christian, it is who you are. You are God’s child, indwelt with his Spirit and part of his Church, on mission for him. (1 Cor 12:27)
3. God’s purpose and work never pauses or stops
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
The history of the world is the story of God’s work and interaction with his creation. He has never and will never stop working out his good purposes in it (Ps 68:19). God does not take summer vacation from his purposes. He does not leave us to our own devices for July and August. His Holy Spirit is at work in the world as he prepares us for the return of Jesus. And we, his Church, with his Spirit in us, are the central means he is using to proclaim that news. Every day the kingdom of God is closer. Every day it is growing. Every day– whether in fall or winter, spring or summer– is one day closer to the coming of Christ Jesus in glory, to judge and rule and reign (Matt 16:27).
4. Only God satisfies
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35
Any rest or entertainment or pleasure we can dream up apart from God will not satisfy or last. We all need rest. That’s why God created the Sabbath. But if in a quest for renewed strength and peace and hope and clarity, we rest from investing in our relationship with God we will not find any of those things. If we take a break from what enhances our awareness of and delight in and engagement with the presence of God we will not find strength or peace or hope or clarity. Not truly. If you feel in need of strength, look to Jesus (Matt 11:28). If you feel in need of peace, look to Jesus (John 14:27). If you feel in need of hope and clarity, look to Jesus (Rom 15:13). A satisfying time of rest and renewal and real joy will only come through and in and by Jesus and his Holy Spirit. Only he truly satisfies. So don’t waste your vacation chasing things that won’t. Rest in the knowledge and the hope and the presence of Jesus.
In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps 16:11
There is much to enjoy and be grateful for in summer. As the weather warms there are so many fun and exciting things to do and see and wonderful times to be had. Our loving Father made the world a beautiful place. And as his children we are right to find joy and wonder and pleasure in it. But as we do, may we keep ever in our minds the purpose of all this– the purpose of God’s creation, the purpose of beauty and rest, and the purpose of our lives here: to glorify him. And may we search him out and his glory in everything we do and say and plan and enjoy. May we fix our eyes on him.
How can we willingly engage with his mission to expand the kingdom and redeem all things this summer?Instead of taking a break from God let’s use our vacations to grow in him more! Delve into the Bible this summer. Find ways to fellowship and worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Read books by Jesus-centered teachers. Listen to music by Spirit-filled songwriters. Praise God as you watch the sun set. Get up early to see it rise again and talk with him. Ask him questions. Listen for his Spirit’s leading and voice. Enjoy his presence. Ask him how he’d like you to generously spend your summer time. What would he have you do for your vacation? How can we willingly engage with his mission to expand the Kingdom and redeem all things this summer?
Let’s not take summer vacation from God. Let’s make Jesus the Lord of our summer.
