Then followed that beautiful season … Summer
Summer indeed makes us glad to be alive. As Longfellow puts it: “Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new-created in all freshness of childhood”. However, as we are still in the throes of Jubilee (see last month’s page), with the Olympic flame making its way through our area on Wednesday 13 June, and Midsummer Day on 24 June, it isn’t surprising that the term “midsummer madness” also comes to mind!
This “foolish or extravagant behaviour, supposed to occur during the long days of summer” often takes the form of our feeling an irresistible impulse to spend time somewhere other than where we are. While most of us would say that we need a holiday, and that there is therapeutic value in getting away where and when needed, Dr Tozer points out the sad truth that the holiday habit, plus the habit of making weekend trips throughout the summer season, has worked to “practically paralyse the church of God for several months out of the year. … The army of the Lord is the only army on earth where the soldiers expect a four-month furlough in time of war.” [Read the full article at this link]
If you are away in the coming months, remember to follow our Lord’s commission to “be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth”. If you are at home, remember that others may be away, and don’t forget to plan in some time to join us.