Embracing a Christ-Centered Summer: Finding Refreshment and Rest in Him

As we enter the summer season, it's important to remember that Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of our lives. While it's tempting to get caught up in the excitement of vacations, picnics, and leisure activities, we must not allow these things to replace our relationship with Christ. Instead, we should seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-2).

Think of summer as a foretaste of heaven, not a substitute. Just as a love letter from a fiancé is a preview of the love that awaits, we should not fall in love with the messenger, but eagerly anticipate the reality. In the same way, we should not fall in love with the fleeting pleasures of summer, but keep our hearts focused on the eternal joy found in Christ.

Jesus invites us to come to Him, especially when we feel weary and burdened. He promises to give us rest (Matthew 11:28). But do we truly want this rest? Our desire for Christ's refreshment determines the extent to which we experience it. As Jeremiah 29:13 reminds us, "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

To fully embrace this summer mindset, we need to practice repentance. Repentance involves not only turning away from sin, but also turning towards the Lord with open hearts, expectant and submissive. As Acts 3:19-20 tells us, through repentance, our sins are blotted out, and times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.

So, how can we cultivate a summer mindset that is focused on Christ? Colossians 3:1-2 provides guidance: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Let us remember that this earth is God's creation. Summer is a time to see and show the glory of God through His creation. It serves as a reminder of the eternal summer that awaits us, where the city has no need of sun or moon because the glory of God gives it light (Revelation 21:23).

The summer sun is a mere pointer to the greater light that is God's glory. When we truly grasp this, we can have eyes to see beyond the temporary pleasures of summer and focus on the everlasting joy found in Christ.

In conclusion, as we embark on the summer season, let us not allow ourselves to be consumed by trivial pursuits. Instead, let us fix our gaze on Jesus Christ, the source of true refreshment and rest. May our hearts be open and expectant, seeking Him with all our heart. And may this summer be a time of deepening our relationship with Christ, as we set our minds on the things that are above, not on the fleeting pleasures of this world.