Not everyone gets a summer break. But for those on break, I wanted to check in and ask how your summer is going. Are you stewarding the gift well? Are you growing in your love for Christ, his people, and your neighbors? Are you serving your family well and with a cheerful heart?
I wanted to offer some counsel to those who might have noticed that their summer is flying by without much progress in spiritual growth or fruitfulness. You might have started out with many big goals, but you have found that not much has happened to meet those goals. Here is some advice.
- Realize that goals are good to have, but developing habits is the key to obtaining those goals. In other words, your goal will only be met if you set up new habits to help you travel towards the goal.
- Develop habits of Bible reading and prayer. If you are a Christian, you want to be more like Christ. This goal will only happen as you learn from God's word and ask him for help (communion with God). So, if your goal is growth, develop the habit of a particular time of day and location for Bible reading and prayer. The goal isn't to the routine, but the goal won't be achieved without it.
- Develop habits of serving others. When you find yourself tempted to veg out with a screen, first ask if there is someone you can do good to in your home or church. Meet a physical need (wash the dishes) or a spiritual one (pray for a friend or send an encouraging text).
- It's not too late to start! You might be thinking you've wasted your summer. It's not over! Developing habits now will help you this summer and in the Fall.
I'm praying for you. May you labor and rest to the glory of God this summer.
