Summertime brings lots of things, and I thought about the analogy today of a "Summer Romance." As a teenager, you often experience this, there was even a movie about a summer romance that my mom happens to know every word to (Grease)! But in the summertime, people tend to look there best: you shed those winter layers, you have a sunkissed tan, (girls- have you ever noticed you can go with less make-up in the summer?), you get my point, things are good! You are also a little more carefree, and as any college student knows- you've got some money! (finally no more Lean Cuisine's for dinner) I thought about this, and I thought about how easy it is to fall in love in the summer as a product of it being one of the better times of the year. And in my mind there was an immediate connection between a summer romance, and our relationship with God.
How easy is it to love God when things are good? When our bodies look good, when the money is overflowing, when we have a chance to relax, when we are eating well, when we can be carefree; it's pretty easy. BUT, just like those teenage summer flings, what about when "school starts back?" Does that romance last when we are on a tight schedule, when we hang on to every penny we have, when we aren't eating well, when we are metaphorically covered with layers that are weighting us down? What about then? Are we still in love, or have we thrown romance to the waist side because we were so busy we didn't even have time to catch our breath?
I think it's easy to understand the comparison, and on paper we see this and know what we SHOULD do. But are we doing it?
Listen to what Jesus says here...
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Wait a minute! So, if we work on our "romance" with God while times are hard, when school is in session, we will actually find peace? So my time devoted to a magnificent romance will produce peace in the midst of all the stress.
If one can say that anything is carefree and free from stress is as summertime, then one can also say that when we are sinking our lives into a romance with Christ, then is not everyday summer? I like the sound of that! Summer everyday. To wake up everyday kissed by the "Son," to eat from His garden (1 Peter 2:3 Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good; Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.) To feel refreshed and renewed (2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.) To never live with the weight of this life (Romans 8:21 the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.) To be overflowing with riches that will never fade away (Psalm 112:1-3 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land;the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.)
Let's find that sweet summer romance, and never let go, not even when the school bell rings, and things aren't as good as they used to be! Because as a popular Lady Antebellum song says, "Nothing's sweeter than Summertime!"
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