Challenge of Summer

As the cool, early summer air falls about me, I sit here, thinking about where life is right now.

Life is strange.  It's as if I spent the last eight and a half months of my life at a summer camp...only without the summer.  I spent nights in a dorm with a stranger who became a dear friend.  I spent evenings stargazing with friends, having deep conversations.  I spent hours upon hours at a campus ministry, learning how to grow and walk with Jesus, embrace community, and worship the King.

In the past, summer was the time of mountaintop experiences.  Those trips to summer camp or big youth conferences.  You know the ones.  Those experiences that leave you on fire for Jesus.  Sometimes the fire fizzles out when you get back.  Well, this whole year felt like that.  This whole year was a mountaintop experience of having such a passion for Jesus and the Kingdom.  This whole year was one surrounded by incredible Christian community.  And that is something to be so so thankful for.  But now, it's like coming back.  But God's address is not on my university's campus, and now is not the time for the fire to fizzle out.

I developed such good habits of spending time with Jesus--reading the Bible and pouring out my heart.  And I know that so many others did too.  Maybe you are at this point too.  Now is not the time to let those habits die.  It's hard because friends that we spent days talking about what the Lord was doing in our lives have moved away for the summer, but that doesn't mean the conversations have to stop.

So here's my challenge--for you, but first for myself (because I know I need to hold myself accountable): Have a summer filled with adventure.

We talk about taking adventures in summer all the time, and usually we mean going out and hiking and swimming and exploring and whatever else.  And I am all for having those adventures.  Go explore and enjoy creation, but explore and enjoy the Creator too.  I want to have a summer adventure with Jesus.  I want to be taken to heights and depths far greater than I could imagine.

So, I challenge you...This summer, live a life of adventure with Jesus.  Spend time in the Word.  Spend time in prayer--prayer journaling even.  Spend time in worship.  Spend time in community.  And spend time on the mission field--wherever that may be.

My schedule isn't totally jam-packed in summer.  This summer, let's take our free time and make it His.  Let's journey together.  Let's hold each other accountable.  Let's not neglect those relationships we built all year, but let's not neglect the people around us either.  Build friendships, strengthen friendships, and not forget about the most important friendship--our friendship with Jesus.

I'm choosing to believe that if I trust God with the summer--He'll give me a greater adventure than I can ever imagine.

"You make known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalm 16:11