What…Almost Summer Again?

 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night” – Genesis 8:22.

Do you have a favorite season? Some people love spring, flowering trees, sunny days, and mild temperatures. Others prefer the long hot summer days and then there are those who fall in love with fall or with the cold but comforting winter nights. If we asked people the question, many people would pick summer as their favorite season. It is a time of warmth, extended light, slowing down, taking a break from our usual schedules, and refreshment in our everyday lives. We can enjoy the outdoors more comfortably without bundling up or hibernating.

How can we go about making this the summer of faith? For one thing, get reacquainted with your Bible. Remember the days when you were a student when you were thoroughly consumed by textbooks throughout the school year. Now you finally have some time to get into God’s Word.  Writing out Scripture is something that is simple yet has the ability to radically transform your faith. Writing takes the impassive act of reading and turns into an active disciple of writing. But even if you aren’t ready to write through a whole book, just taking 10 minutes and writing down a few passages of your daily Bible reading is transformative.  

 Recording your thoughts and reactions may help you to better conceptualize the concepts you come across. Explore the applications of these passages. This is a great way to grow stronger in faith and to understand how this beautiful, God-breathed book is still so important 2,000 years after it was written. You’ll be amazed by the many ways in which Biblical concepts are at play in your home and community.

Then work on expanding you’re reading list. The Bible can form the basis of an excellent summer of reading. Beyond this essential, however, you’ll find plenty of other options virtually.  Set aside some time to read a book on a subject you want to delve into more. Your campus pastor can help you pick a book if you are unsure.   

Then recommit to prayer.  If you’ve fallen into a habit of only praying on Sundays or when you’re worried about something that has popped up in your life, it’s time to break out of the trap and establish a more routine prayer life. Summer provides you with more time to relearn how to pray, and the impact prayer has on our lives as believers. If you struggle to get started, begin by thanking God for the many blessings you’ve received this year so far. 

The good news is, no matter how busy your life is right now, no matter what’s making it so busy, and what season of life you are in, there’s no reason God has to take a backseat.

Even if you only have five minutes a day you have time for God. While making sure God gets the best spot in your day is a fantastic place to start, I’d really encourage you: don’t stop there. God doesn’t want part of you part of the time. He wants all of you all of the time and what better place to start than this summer. 

Discussion Questions

1. What are the barriers to doing something every day that requires faith?
2. What can we do this week to overcome those barriers?