Most of us always look forward to summer. Warm weather, vacations, and time off from work. Especially here in Northeast Florida where we are close to beaches, lakes, and rivers. What’s not to love …
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Most of us always look forward to summer. Warm weather, vacations, and time off from work. Especially here in Northeast Florida where we are close to beaches, lakes, and rivers. What’s not to love about that?
While all those things are wonderful, we must ensure that we’re using our time wisely. While a little R&R is important and great for everyone, make sure we stay focused on our purpose of spreading the gospel and living godly lives. This is particularly important with the freedom summer brings.
The Scriptures speaks very clearly about “idleness”. For instance, Proverbs 18:9 teaches that “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.” When we aren’t diligent in our spiritual lives and our callings, things can start to fade. A lack of growth doesn’t just cause us to be stagnant, but it can propel us backward if it goes on long enough.
Billy Graham once said, “Satan doesn’t need for us to fall into gross sin in order to defeat us. A large dose of laziness will do the trick just as well.”
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus reminds us of the impact we can have, but also the dangers of falling into idleness: “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” We need to remain salty, so to speak, so that we can continue to be the salt of the earth as Jesus has called us to be. We can make this community a better place, and it starts with us.
To be clear, we should absolutely take time to relax this summer, enjoy ourselves and our families. There is nothing wrong with that and in fact it is very healthy. However, God commands us to take the Sabbath for a reason.
Along with all the fun and activities the summer may bring, remember to stay focused on the purpose Jesus set before us. Continue to live out the callings He has placed upon our lives, which is the work of building His Kingdom here on earth. Make this summer count for something that matters!
You can write the Pastor at pastorbilly@findtruelife.com.