Keep the faith, even during summer vacation

Reflections

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The calendar says we have a couple of weeks, yet – but schedules and weather all point to a summer reality. Have you considered how you’ll spend your summer days? What you’ll make a priority in your life? What you hope your family recognizes as important? 

The choices you make about how you spend your time/energy/money all reveal your heart. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well.” This certainly applies to our finances, but also to our time and our energy. When you get to the end of this summer what will your choices reveal? 

I’d like to remind you of a couple of things this summer – First, your church meets for worship throughout the summer. I know this sounds like a silly thing to say, but every September I encounter children who say they’re glad church is meeting again. People tell me that church and God are central and primary in their lives, but then set it aside for convenience (really throughout the year) through the summer to accommodate guests/family, for lake cabins, for sports, for a few extra hours of sleep. 

Parents tell me they want to raise their kids with a good faithful foundation, but often this lesson is defeated by the choices the parents make. No amount of Sunday school or Confirmation will replace a family’s intentional participation in faith. Here’s something, if you can’t make it to your church, find one near you, or listen to a service on the radio, or online sermon, or simply read a story from the Bible and talk about it. Maybe you could ask your church for the Bible readings for the Sundays you’ll miss before going away. 

Second, the important work your church does isn’t just done from September through May. The work of ministry and care doesn’t slow down because schedules change. People still walk through the door in need of help – physical, spiritual, financial, emotional; your presence and support make that possible. 

The work of preparing to teach children and adults the faith, to walk with them through the Bible and God’s work, is ongoing – and your church needs your support, be it in service or support. Also, the missions you support don’t slow down because school is out - your continued, intentional financial support of your congregation is important to keep the good work going. 

I want to remind you that your choices reveal your heart. Matthew 22:37 says, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” A discipleship walk sets God and faith, not as a spoke on the wheel, but as the hub, the center. Our lives can become complicated and unbalanced, but as long as God/faith remain the center, the whole of our lives (work, home, congregation, community) will reveal God’s grace and care. 

God’s great blessings on your summer.