Well, summer is upon us! For most students and teachers another school year is over. In the last couple of weeks, we have experienced some heat and humidity that is common for us in Western Mass. Is it going to be a hotter than normal summer? Many places in the country are experiencing record breaking heat. We have also certainly experienced thunderstorms coming through.
So, what is summer all about? One of the things summer is about is relaxation and rejuvenation. For most of us, we look forward to taking a vacation…some kind of change in our “regular” schedule. The enjoyment of getting away can be in both the planning, anticipating, traveling, and the experiences we have. It is a time for us to get away from our usual surroundings so that we can encounter something different.
I want all of us to consider taking our spirits on vacation too. That doesn’t mean I’m suggesting that you take a vacation from worship. Maybe if we are honest with ourselves, we can admit we have been in the same spiritual place for years. Maybe we haven’t been challenged to stretch our walk with God, or we just haven’t taken the opportunity to do so.
I would invite everyone to take some time this summer to talk with God. Take some time to increase the amount of time you spend in conversation with the Creator. In other words, spend more time in prayer! We all need to know that there is NOTHING in our lives that we cannot take to God. God understands, cares, accepts, and loves all of us! No matter how difficult, hurtful, or ugly something is; we can always take it to the Creator.
In Mark 6:30-32 it seems that Jesus Himself is inviting the Apostles to take a brief vacation. “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.””
The word “vacation” is rooted in a Latin word meaning “to make space for something” or “to make time for something.” When we really pray, we are making space for God in our hectic schedules, we are making time for God in our busy lives. So, praying every day is taking a mini vacation. The prayer periods may be short, but they are regular each day.
Whether you are on summer vacation or not, you always need to take time for daily mini vacations getting close to God in prayer
It is Good to be your pastor!
In the Lord’s service till the last fish is caught <><
Pastor Chris
