Wednesday, June 18, 2003
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Wednesday, June 18, 2003 |
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Suggestions for summer By JOHN HATCHER Summers are for vacations. That's been long established. Whether that vacation is to visit favored relatives and sponge off them or a pricey Cancun get-a-way. A vacation means you vacate your normal way of doing things in order to change your place and pace. Vacations allow us to slow down, think, and spend quality time with family and lots more. Now, permit me a little theological digression before I continue: it was in God's intention all along for Sundays to be mini-vacations every week. God knew we all needed a break from work and worry. God gave the Lord's Day to us to rest, worship, and perhaps take time to help someone in need. Regretfully, Sundays are evolving into another Saturday another day to do chores, go shopping, and for many people, go to "work" work. Back to summers and vacations: let me suggest that you vacate your normal way of doing things in your spiritual formation. First, let me suggest that you adopt one of the books of the Bible and give yourself to it between now and Labor Day. If you take one of the longer books, your project may consist of just reading through it. If you take a shorter book, you will have time to soak in the Word and allow the Word to marinate your whole person. Take the shorter Book of Philippians, for instance. It contains deep theological truths, but it also contains some pretty good daily counsel like "rejoice" and like "have this attitude that was in Christ Jesus." Second, let me also suggest that you pick out one religion outside your own (most of my readers are Christian) and study it for the purpose of better understanding people with whom you come into contact. At our church on Wednesday nights, we're conducting a study of other world religions. In addition to learning the differences with the Christian faith, we also look into their strengths and positive features. Right here in Fayetteville, we have a Muslim house of prayer. Why now check out a book on Islam? We also have the Hindu Temple of Greater Atlanta in Riverdale. Why not study the varied nature of the Hindu religion? Third, don't vacate the worship of God as you take your vacations. It's so easy to want to sleep in Sunday mornings in a place where you don't know the churches or people. Make a point on Saturday before Sunday to spot a house and worship, notice worship times, and make your way Sunday morning to church, albeit a strange church. Let God know you don't want to take a vacation from him nor do you want him to take a vacation from you and your family. After all, you want him to get you home safely. But also, let your children know by modeling the priority of worshiping God even on vacation. Fourth and final, please don't forget your own church in terms of its financial needs over the summer. If you plan to be absent, send your tithes and offerings in by mail or give in advance. I assure you, the church's electric bill will come due whether you are present or on vacation. As you spend all that extra money on a vacation, remember to be faithful in terms of your stewardship. I hope you have a great and memorable summer. John Hatcher is pastor of Outreach International Center 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive Fayetteville, Georgia 30215 770-719-0303 |
