Summer Seasons
Dec 12, 2024
Melissa Lipsett is the CEO of Baptist World Aid and will be the keynote speaker at the Day of Wonder in March. In this edition of Heartlands, she reflects on the bountiful summer season – and issues a warning!
Summer Seasons
Singing, Rejoicing . . . and Complacency?
As I write, the calendar has turned over to December and although the weather doesn’t quite feel like it yet, to summer. I love the summertime. There’s warm and light, the joy of Christmas, holidays and rest. I never want it to end.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
Spiritual summers are a bit the same. These are the long days of our hearts being full and our souls being at one with God. In spiritual summers, it seems that God is providing for us abundantly – not just materially but in our health, our relationships, our work and our purpose. There are times of loving God and knowing we are deeply loved by him. We feel his presence.
Summer seasons of the heart and soul are wonderful and joyful. They are ‘a time to dance.’ Philippians (3:1, 4:4) says. ‘Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! . . . Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice.’
Heady Summer Learnings
It is tempting to just enjoy, but there are important things to learn from these warm summer seasons. And while scripture encourages us to rightly feel and experience joy, it is easy to be seduced and lose sight of where the goodness comes from in the midst of a heady summer.
That’s what happened to King Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes. As Israel prospers, he becomes arrogant and complacent about where blessing comes from and the way in which it is to be used and he turns his heart away from God. Ultimately, it results in a spectacular downfall – not just for him but for his people.
Author and pastor Mark Buchanan has this warning: ‘In summer, drink often. We can become so accustomed to the bounty of God that we grow indifferent about seeking his gifts. The lake . . . is so refreshing we fail to notice that the river that feeds it has dwindled to a trickle.’
The discipline of gratitude is likely the best antidote to summer complacency.
So, in the most joyful seasons of life (and I pray that there may be many of these seasons for all of us) we shouldn’t congratulate or take ourselves too seriously, but we should take God seriously.
The discipline of gratitude is likely the best antidote to summer complacency. And daily gratefulness is a win-win. As we consistently and continually reflect on and honour and thank God for his good gifts, our own joy and contentment will increase.
Melissa Lipsett
CEO Baptist World Aid
To hear more from Melissa about the seasons of life, register for the Day of Wonder, on 29 March 2025. The early bird rate is just $50, and closes on 15 December 2024.
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