Summer Days

Today officially kicks off the summer season, and I just bet you’re recalling lazy family vacations at the beach with plenty of ice cream! I remember well this day at the shore in Ocean City, Maryland (that’s 12-year-old me in the middle with the towel-wrap, surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins). Earlier that day I was out in the ocean, riding the gentle waves on my rubber raft. The soft swells were so calming, I kind of dozed off! Suddenly, I heard Daddy calling to me from a distance —I opened my eyes and, oh my goodness! I was way down the beach. I didn’t realize how strong the current was, or how far it had taken me. I was so distracted by the pleasant rolling that the current caught me totally off-guard. As I frantically paddled to shore, I knew I had learned an important lesson about ocean currents.

And friend, worldly undercurrents are even stronger; it is easy to get distracted – almost lulled to sleep spiritually – by the temporary things of this earth. We ‘naturally’ drift away from the Lord. It’s why Hebrews 2 gives us ‘supernatural’ warning, “We must pay more careful attention … so that we do not drift away.” So pay attention! The undertow of our culture will try its best to pull you down; strong currents of secular opinions and temptations will drag you in the wrong direction. So this summer, as you take a relaxing break from the busyness of life, don’t relax and doze off spiritually – make certain to spend intentional time with Jesus. He is the Life Preserver to grab when you feel yourself drifting away.