It is amazing how quickly time moves in the summertime. Of course, around here we didn't really have summer weather until just about a month ago. At the end of June someone said, "I sure hope summer comes on a weekend this year so we can enjoy it." Now we find ourselves in August, and I discover that I haven't added to this page in nearly that whole one month of summer.
I commented recently that I always thought fall was supposed to be the busy time, and summer the time when we slow down, sip our lemonade or iced tea, relax in the hammock and read a good book. I've had my lemonade and iced tea, but I haven't even taken time to pull the hammock out or to read much.
Part of the busyness stems from travel. Not mine, just everyone who has come to Bayfield. Don't get me wrong. We love when family and friends come to visit. We had 2 more grandkids born this spring, and we are trying to find time to see them more. But hosting and travelling take time.
Mentoring, meetings, visiting, nursing home visits, and day-to-day church ministry and business all take time. On top of everything, I am convinced that God told me to preach the book of Revelation. Me. In the summertime. Study and preparation for sermons takes more time than usual these days.
Does it sound like I'm complaining? I'm not. It just occurs to me that our plans aren't all that important compared to God's plan for us. The way I would spend (or waste) my time doesn't match God's plan for my time this summer.
It comes down to a question of priorities. Am I (and are you) willing to confess to God that He truly is God, that He is in control (and not you), and that He knows what is best for your life, and even for your summertime fun?
Living for Jesus makes summertime and any time worth living. When you are asked what you did with your summer vacation, make sure you are able to say, "Oh, I spent the summer following Jesus." You won't regret it.
I commented recently that I always thought fall was supposed to be the busy time, and summer the time when we slow down, sip our lemonade or iced tea, relax in the hammock and read a good book. I've had my lemonade and iced tea, but I haven't even taken time to pull the hammock out or to read much.
Part of the busyness stems from travel. Not mine, just everyone who has come to Bayfield. Don't get me wrong. We love when family and friends come to visit. We had 2 more grandkids born this spring, and we are trying to find time to see them more. But hosting and travelling take time.
Mentoring, meetings, visiting, nursing home visits, and day-to-day church ministry and business all take time. On top of everything, I am convinced that God told me to preach the book of Revelation. Me. In the summertime. Study and preparation for sermons takes more time than usual these days.
Does it sound like I'm complaining? I'm not. It just occurs to me that our plans aren't all that important compared to God's plan for us. The way I would spend (or waste) my time doesn't match God's plan for my time this summer.
It comes down to a question of priorities. Am I (and are you) willing to confess to God that He truly is God, that He is in control (and not you), and that He knows what is best for your life, and even for your summertime fun?
Living for Jesus makes summertime and any time worth living. When you are asked what you did with your summer vacation, make sure you are able to say, "Oh, I spent the summer following Jesus." You won't regret it.
