Summer is just around the corner and we all know what that means - fun, vacation, and relaxation. But unfortunately for some, summer can be a time of spiritual decay. Throughout the school year we become structured in our schedule and we create routines to help us succeed in our everyday life. The summer allows opportunity for “idleness” to creep in and interrupt our structure and routines. So how can we avoid this idleness in our life? How can we avoid spiritual decay? How can we stay on fire for God during the summer months? The answer is simple - Stay Faithful!!! Here are a few areas of our life in which we need to stay faithful:
Stay Faithful in our Walk - It is so simple; however, many Christians fail to have a close walk with the Lord. A close walk with God is nothing more than a healthy relationship with God. Think about the relationships in your life. How are they maintained? The answer is twofold- Compassion and Communication. Jesus tells us in Mark 12:30, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Our Savior puts an emphasis on compassion. Love and compassion for God will lead to a desire for communication with God and vice versa. God has given us the Bible and prayer as avenues for communication. This summer continue to set some time aside every day to spend in the Bible and in prayer.
Stay Faithful in our Work - I fully understand that the summer is a time for rest and vacation, but like everything else in life there needs to be a balance. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 19:15, “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Becoming slothful leads to an idle soul, which leads to a malnourished spiritual life. There is plenty of work to be done after school lets out. Make it a priority to stay busy and productive for God!
Stay Faithful in our Witness - The great commission Jesus Christ gives us in His Word can be summed up in two letters - GO!!! Mark 16:15 says “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” GO is not just a suggestion, it is a command. Christians have a story to tell and telling it should be a regular occurrence. Ask yourself this question: When was the last time you told someone about the gospel of Christ? Unfortunately for most Christians, the answer to that question could be a little embarrassing. During the summer there are opportunities to witness that you will not have during the school year. People need to hear the gospel. They need to hear the truth. Don’t miss the opportunity to tell someone about the free gift of Salvation.
Stay Faithful in our Worship - In I Timothy 3:15, the church is called, “the pillar and ground of the truth.” The “pillar” and “ground” speaks of our spiritual foundation and structure in relation to the truth. For any type of building to be sustained it must regularly be maintained. This is also true in our spiritual life. So how does truth maintain our life? The answer is through the church. The church is where we go to get what we need to make it in this life. The truth of the Word of God is preached at the church. The truth is sung about at the church. The truth is edified and exhorted at the church. The truth is we need the church! Summer is a time for vacation, but not a vacation from the church.
Conclusion:
God has given us a great school year, and He has done a lot for us and in us. Could you imagine what He could do next year if we continue to stay on fire for Him? This summer, make it your personal goal not to back track but to go forward for God. In Proverbs the question is asked, “But a faithful man who can find?” Will you be faithful?
Article by
CHARLIE TINSLEY
Staff member of
New Manna Christian School