Wednesday, July 4, 2018
“You set the boundaries of the
earth, and you made both summer and winter.” (Psalm 74:17, NLT)
[We are taking a break until August 1. Thanks for reading!]
Ah, summer!
Long days, sunshine and heat.
Fresh fruit and vegetables.
Cottages, lake shores, ocean sides and beaches.
Cold drinks, hammocks, and Muskoka chairs.
Camping, fishing, canoeing, camp-fires, and boating.
Even thunderstorms and lightning flashes in the
night.
Summers are too short in Canada. Maybe, that is why we enjoy the summer so
much. I am getting to the point that although I don’t enjoy really hot, sticky,
humid days, they are preferable to way-below zero days of winter. Of course,
being Canadian, I get to complain about both.
It is interesting to note that a few scripture texts
emphasize that summer is the time for gathering and harvesting for the winter. We
tend to think of it as a time for rest, relaxation and vacation. But in Proverbs
for example, the stress is on using the summer to one’s advantage for later.
“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor
or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the
winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?” (Proverbs
6: 6-9)
No, no, no - summer is a time for sleeping in when on vacation. Late
morning brunches on the patio. A lazy day with a book, sitting under a shade
tree with a glass of iced tea or lemonade. The summer is for not working, not toiling, not
labouring – at least for a little while.
“Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up
food all summer.” (Proverbs 30:25) Whoopee-do for the ants!
Of course, I could
argue that what we need to store up by taking advantage of summer’s slower pace
is a renewal of spirit, vigour and strength of mind. We need to replenish the
spirit, renew the soul, refill our souls. Perhaps, for some of us, it can be a
time to refocus our priorities, take some time to re-examine our directions, or
catching one’s breath before engaging in some new enterprise or face some new upcoming
challenge. Summer can be a time for renewing relationships, taking stock,
reaching out, figuring it out, letting some things go, tending existential hurts
and bruises.
Even Jesus took a
break now and then – away from the crowds, their pressing needs and demands,
their hurts and pains. He sought out time and space for prayer, refurbishment of spirit, and restoration
of his strength. It may have been no
day at the beach but he found it necessary to keep on doing what he could for
the people.
So, I hope that
you will have a productive summer.
“But those who
trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like
eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
(Isaiah 40:31)
Ah, summer! Enjoy!
Dale
