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Summer is many different things for different people. God does some new things in the summer. Here are just a few.
He makes the daylight longer. Why? Some of it has to do with crops and birds and photosynthesis. But it also has to do with hanging out in the evening where you might be able to talk to people who -- in the winter -- are hidden in their homes.
It is also a pointer toward heaven when "there shall no longer be any night," Revelation 22:5. Long days show the glory of a God "who is light, and in whom there is no darkness at all" I John 1:5.
One of my favorite things God does in the summer is that He makes the temperature warmer.
Why? Well, this too has to do with flowers and trees and crops, because He loves us. But there are other reasons.
He does it so that we will spend time outside and meet people in the neighborhood or at the park that we would not meet in the winter. He also does it so that we will go outside after dark and look up where he has His glory on display in the stars.
"The heavens are telling the glory of God...night unto night reveals His knowledge," Psalm 19:1-2.
In our culture kids don't go to school in the summer. Why? One reason is to reduce stress on kids and families.
Kids (and moms or dads) can have "Bible time" without competing with homework in the evenings. Getting enough sleep is possible.
Another reason is to open opportunities to travel and see God's handiwork in other places (15 miles away or 1,500 miles away). Mountains, lakes, rivers, plains, oceans and even cities reveal the works of His hands.
Summer is for seeing and showing God. Don't let the carnal thought take over your mind that summer is a spiritual void. That is not God's view of things.
He is displaying the handiwork of creation so we would worship Him. He is caressing the world with mercy, Matthew 5:45.
"His summer kindness is meant to lead to repentance," Romans 2:4.
Summer is not a time for taking time off from cooperating worship from your church family. Attendance in most churches is down during the summer months. We all have those reasons why we are not with the assembly on any given Sunday.
The apostle Paul encourages us not to "give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing," Hebrews 10:25.
So as you enjoy all of the opportunities that summer brings, remember God is the reason for the warmth and the extra daylight.
So, let's join God in His love for people in the summer and make it a fresh meeting with Him in the light of His love, each Lord's Day.
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Pastor Mark Riley of Flemington First Church of Christ.