In a new book, "Summer: A Spiritual Biography of the Seasons," editor
Gary Schmidt and illustrator Susan Felch present writings from
several authors about the cathartic value of summertime -- its
ability to spiritually heal and renew, and to allow people to value
time.
Do you agree? Is there something about summertime that can renew
us, even in a spiritual sense?
While there is no "Thou shalt have a vacation" command in the
Bible, there are directives to periodically cease from labor (rest
days, festivals, etc.) to reflect on the goodness of God, and to
cease from toil for the benefit of the soul.
As was His regular practice, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely
places and prayed" (Luke 5:16 NIV). He would get away by Himself to
recuperate and to enjoy personal Communion with His Father in heaven,
only to return to His ministry refreshed and strengthened.
Getting away from the constant plugging-away in daily effort is
more difficult when one is a timecard puncher, or one has every task
on immediate deadline with no break in sight. We get on a treadmill
toward ill health when we don't take time away, and without taking
the vacation opportunity that summer affords, I think we do ourselves
a disservice.
Something that I appreciate about summer, when I actually take
time to stop and smell the roses, is that I rediscover that the roses
are even there. Away from the immediate environment and the hustle of
necessity, my eyes open to the magnitude of God's creative beauty
that most flourishes in this season. It's this period when schedules
converge, and both kids and parents can spirit away to experience the
seashore, the mountains, historic places, and plain old calm and
quiet; and the adventures retold last all year!
The opportunity to spiritually refocus is excellent during such
breaks, if we are deliberate. Don't neglect the Sunday worship in
another church at your vacation destination, and give priority to
that practice of prayer that you always wanted which you couldn't
seem to fit in before when you were overworking. Remember, the summer
is God's creation (Psalms 74:17).
REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
Light On The Corner
Montrose
In Primeval times, the inhabitants paid homage to the sun and put
great stock in the seasons, like winter, spring, summer and even
autumn.
Some people feel best in the chill of winter, others enjoy the
renewal of spring and still others look forward to the warmth of
summer.
We do not place any particular importance on the seasonal times of
the year.
