July 2009 Newsletter


"Busy Summer"

By: Craig Rippy

Church camp, mission trips, Christ in Youth, Vacation Bible School, regular church activities, summer ball leagues, vacations, sports & cheerleading camps, scouts, family reunions, much need repairs, weeding the garden, lawn care, work, and family responsibilities - did I miss anything? Oh yeah, summer school just ended.

Where is the down time? It seems we have become so busy we have forgotten to rest, to have peaceful relaxation, to enjoy some "down time."

After a busy time of ministry Jesus told His disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (Mark 6:31 - NIV) There is nothing wrong with rest. Of course, things don't always go as planned. Jesus and the disciples go for a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to find a peaceful place to relax. When they arrive a crowd had already assembled. Ministry beckoned, Jesus responded, and eventually He fed over five thousand people. His disciples served food to the crowd. Wow, that wasn't much of a rest.

I think Jesus understands our situations, our needs, even for a break. Jesus nor His disciples collapsed from their busyness. God's grace was sufficient to strengthen them. Paul reminds of that (Philippians 4:13).

Although, Jesus did keep it simple. He was on a mission from heaven. Peter related to Cornelius (Acts 10:37-38) the life of Christ in a nut shell, "You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached- 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

(NIV) Jesus was guided by the Holy Spirit to accomplish certain things and Jesus went resolutely about the task.

The Lord, nor His disciples, cluttered their lives with more than they needed to. Achieving the will of God was enough to do. Sometimes we must say no to say yes to the Spirit's leading. No to excess clutter, and yes to purposeful ministry.

God does have purpose for you. You may question, "What is my purpose?" Well, it may be more simple than you've considered, and that's why you've been missing it.

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes said that, in the end, most things are "Meaningless". Much of what we do only counts for time, not eternity. Thus, his conclusion of the matter was, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, Whether it is good or evil." (Eccl. 12:13-14 - NIV)

So, its time for evaluation. Does your activity have more meaning for time alone, or for eternity. Summer ball can be a great place to make acquaintances and invite parents and children to church activities (e.g. VBS). Anywhere we go and whatever we do we should consider how to make the most of it for God.

I don't mean that we can rationalize every activity under the Sun as being beneficial to ministry. Some things we must do and we see no ministry benefit, but God can work things beyond our understanding. So, we should move through these things with Godly attitudes, because God may be working in ways we can't comprehend. You know, "His ways our higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:9)

Yet, we often busy ourselves with activities that could be re-evaluated. What activities are most important from God's perspective? What will gain the greatest reward for Christ's Kingdom? Can I utilize the situation for God's glory? And then the BIG question, "Will I make use of the activity as a representative of Christ?"

1 Corinthians 10:31 & 33, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.... For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (NIV)

Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV)