It depends, doesn’t it?
If you’re at the beach, then maybe a swimming costume?
If you’re ekhaya, then maybe your normal clothes, depending on whether you are around the house or asked to do some chores outside?
If you’re going to a celebration, then perhaps something smarter, or more traditional?
But what if you are a follower of Jesus?
Does that change what you will aim to wear this summer?
It might change what you choose to physically wear, and that could be good to think about. But in fact, I mean that question in another way. Look at this verse from Colossians 3:12:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience.
Here is what God wants his people, saved in Jesus, and so chosen, holy and loved, to put on. Can you see the list? Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And in fact, it carries on, to also talk about bearing with one another, forgiveness, and love most of all.
In short, we are already God’s chosen, holy and dearly loved people. Now we are called to live as those people and grow into that identity. So, how will we remember who we are and keep growing in the way we live?
Well, here Colossians 3 then says: Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you.
How will you make room for the word of Christ to dwell in you over the summer?
As you do, how will it shape the compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience you put on?
If you are in Christ, here’s a resource [link here] that offers practical ideas to help you stay focused and to keep growing over the summer. My lovely wife Jo wrote it many years ago because she knew our students would need to be intentional if they were to spend the summer well, growing and maturing. I want to commend it to you.
Why not download it now? If possible, print it out and set aside time to fill it in. Then choose a first step from your plan and decide when you will do that.
Do you know that the TBT team worries about you over the summer?
We worry because we love you and long to see you maturing and growing in God’s grace, living as the people God has made you to be. We worry that you will be drawn back into worldly or sinful patterns and step back from the growth we’ve seen during our terms together. We worry that you will give in to Satan’s schemes through laziness or ungodliness. These concerns come from our love for you and our desire to see you keep growing.
Because we love you, we worry about you, but we also, more importantly, aim to pray for you, trusting that you are in God’s hands. But alongside that trust in God, you also have a part to play in how you approach the summer. What will you wear this summer? How will you let the word of Christ dwell in you?
We encourage you to take responsibility for how you approach your summer. Many circumstances this summer and next year will be outside your control. But you do have some choice in how you make room for Christ’s word and pursue growth. And that is a responsibility worth taking seriously.
So we beg you, please be intentional about your summer.
With love and prayers,
The TBT team.
