The Better Summer Your Soul is Longing For
Summer is finally here! Students are free of the classroom, and teachers have cleaned out their desks. When you go to the store, you find people buying all sorts of necessary vacation items. If you haven’t purchased a swimsuit yet, you may be out of luck!
My sweet Pastor husband and I are adapting to Missouri’s weather. When we lived in Idaho, we opened the doors and windows, and turned on ceiling fans to keep our house cool. We always had the goal to not turn on the air conditioning for as long as possible. I admit, I turned our air conditioning on several weeks ago!
My Inner Summer Girl
The idea of summer makes me want to work less, read more, and enjoy the random surprises each day holds. Sitting in my office to write is a huge struggle. I’d much rather call a new friend and go explore more of Saint Louis! If you’re in the mood and have a hidden Missouri treasure to show me, I’m your gal.
The other morning, I sat on my patio next to the firepit relishing my coffee and reading God’s Word. After I had been there for awhile, I glanced at the time and felt my sensible side nudge me to get up. Responsible Nancy whispered, “it’s time to step into the tasks of your day.” My inner Summer Girl sighed.
Then, Holy Spirit gently reminded me of a wonderful truth. There is nothing better to do with one’s time then soak up the presence of God. I decided to get up when Jesus nudged me to move.
Dawdling with Jesus
I realize not everyone has the freedom to sit with Jesus for as long as she likes. Children, spouses, work, and daily tasks often demand we step away from soaking in Jesus to our heart’s content. Most days, I can’t linger for as long as I’d like, but God graciously gives me mornings when I’m free to dawdle.
Whenever God gives me the gift of more time with Him, He always has a purpose. He knows what my day holds. In addition, He already knows how I will respond, whether with grace, frustration, peace, or fear. Holy Spirit gently draws me close and invites me to experience His presence intimately so I can live my day fully.
God’s Invitation
In Christian circles, we often talk about God inviting us into relationship. Unfortunately, we often tie it to just receiving salvation. It’s as if we believe, once someone is introduced to God, relationship will just magically happen. I’ve never had a relationship like that with anyone, have you?
I want to encourage you to today to dawdle a bit with Jesus this summer. Look at what James says.
“…you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that your friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.’ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
James 4:3b-8 NLT
Truth from the Book of James
That first phrase in James 4:3 is the epitome of summer: we want what gives us pleasure. James is writing to the scattered twelve tribes, and he calls them out for being selfishly focused. James even goes to the extent of describing them as adulterers, someone who has cheated on the person they are to be most committed toward.
I believe God wants us to relish the days of summer. God wants us to delight in the sunshine and the freedom these longer days provide. I also believe God calls us to continually, and profoundly, experience His presence.
Truth about God
Look at what James teaches us about the Lord. God is passionate, unselfish with His Spirit, and jealous for our attention. He gives grace generously, specifically to those who choose humility. In addition, God wants us to come to Him. He blesses us when we move our position and draw near. However, God doesn’t want us to have divided loyalty in any way. He longs for us to fully focus on pleasing Him and not ourselves.
Truth about Ourselves
Now, look at what James teaches us about ourselves. We often become too focused on what pleases us. Many of us want to walk the fence between God and the world; we want God and we want what the world says is good. Each of us is desperately in need of grace. We may want to come humbly, but we allow our pride to dominate. Unless we are completely loyal to God and God alone, we won’t experience all God has for us.
Thankfully, God places His Spirit within us. We don’t have to follow Christ in our own strength or by the power of our own will. However, we must still continually choose God and Him alone. We must want God more than anything else; we must long to fully experience His presence each and every day.
Applying Truth from James
As we stand at the beginning of summer with all our hopes of rest, relaxation, and refreshment, I have two questions for you to consider.
- What is keeping you from fully experiencing God’s presence?
- How can you carve out time to regularly dawdle with Jesus this summer?
God wants to enjoy this season with us. He will delight in us as we enjoy camping and fireworks and barbeques. God anticipates the opportunity to reveal the beauty of His creation, the laughter of children, and the wonder of shared moments with family or friends. But more than anything, He longs to build a deeper intimacy with us, where we know His love and grace, and discover pleasure in His presence.
Happy Summer, my friend!
