A Season of Growth?

We are now officially into summer.  Last Friday was the summer solstice, the “longest” day of the year.  On this day we get 15.5 hours between sunrise and sunset.  Summer is a season of growth in the natural world.  With some rain (or irrigation), your lawn will need to be mowed regularly.  Fruit trees and bushes are growing their fruit toward ripeness and the harvest.  The warmer temperatures and the longer exposure to sunlight make summer a time of accelerated growth.

It’s interesting that for many of us, the summer is a time to abstain from growth-producing activities.  School is out for the summer.  LifeGroups and Bible studies meet less frequently or not at all.  We tend to give ourselves a pass from focusing on our own spiritual growth and practicing spiritual disciplines.  And yet summer provides us with an opportunity to try some different ways to engage God.  Have a conversation with God as you walk along the beach.  Use the extra time in your schedule to read through a Gospel like you would a novel.  Use outdoor activities as a way to spend time with people who encourage you in your faith.  Things grow in the summer.  Your faith can grow too!