Signs of Summer

Signs of Summer

The longest days of the year…who doesn’t revel in the nearly sixteen hours of daylight? It is as if our bodies know instinctively that God created us to be creatures of light…creatures craving and seeking the light of His word and the light of His presence.

Strawberries and raspberries and blueberries, oh my! Eating them, picking them, eating them, preserving them, eating them, with fresh cream…such a wonderful combination of sweet and tart. They remind us of the sweetness of God’s word to us, His presence with us…and the tartness of His sometimes necessary reproof.

Growing season…isn’t amazing how the eye delights in the color green? Our eyes find rest in the verdant color, and yet this is a time of productivity. Farmers say on a hot and humid night, you can actually hear the corn growing. It is like the balance we find in the center of God’s will…working hard at what He has given us to do, yet finding rest in His Holy Spirit.

Flowers…everywhere. From roadside weeds to formal gardens, the earth is bursting with color and scent…attracting everything from honeybees to butterflies. Even Jesus pointed out the glory of the lilies of the field and esteemed it above the richest of Solomon’s robes…and reminded us that though glorious, their beauty is but fleeting. Yet our heavenly Father, if he will clothe the fields with such glory, will also surely clothe us…perhaps not in the latest fashion…but in His righteousness.

Heat…and humidity…after winter’s bone-chilling cold, the first few hot days are so welcome, but when the mercury rises to 90 or above with humidity to match, the heat becomes oppressive. We sweat just sitting in the shade, and are reminded that God told Adam and Eve that they and their descendants (that’s us!) would earn their livelihoods by the sweat of their brows. Yet God also promised a Savior. We are reminded of the consequences of sin and welcome Christ’s sacrifice for our sins more than a frosty lemonade on a hot day.

Mosquitoes…ants…earwigs…ugh! Why did God ever create such pests? He didn’t. I don’t know what purpose those creatures served in Eden, but it was surely beneficial. It was only after the fall, when Satan’s destructive power was unleashed, that they became pests. Yet Jesus told us that when we go forth in His name, we have the power to stop the enemy in his tracks. As for the mosquitoes…we’ll have to wait for the new heaven and the new earth for them to return to their non-bloodsucking ways.

Vacations…from work or from school, who doesn’t love vacations…even when you don’t go anywhere. Vacations are a reminder that God calls us to set aside time to recharge. It’s called “the Sabbath,” and whether you celebrate it on Saturday or on Sunday, it is a time to worship and honor God and make time just for Him.