Summer Is Over...What Do I Do Now?

It’s hard to acknowledge that summer is over. Whether it was enjoyed or wasted, it still has come to an end. Can you believe it? Doesn’t it always feel like we just got started? Look around in the stores, see the school supplies, sit behind that school bus on the ride home, and come back to reality. Yes, summer has gone. But don’t forget it just yet! Think for a moment…take an evaluation…how was your summer? Was it a bunch of fun or full of boredom? Did you accomplish things or did you waste it? Was it a summer worth remembering or a time you quickly want to forget?

More importantly, what did God think of your summer? Was the summer of 2014 a step forward or a step backward for you spiritually? When it comes to your spiritual life there is no such thing as standing still. You are either growing or dying; moving forward or backward. How would you rate this summer in your relationship with God? How would God rate it?

Often times, because we are sinners, there are regrets we have or things we should have done more, and even things we shouldn’t have done. Summer is a time most people do things out of the ordinary. We all get out of routine, off our schedule and more. Many Christians admit they fall into a summer slump where they go backward in their spiritual life. Whatever the case, don’t lose hope. Remember that God is a God of forgiveness. He wants you to get up, and start over. Consider these verses:

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…” –Proverbs 24:16

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” –I John 1:9

“Let us search and try our ways,
and turn again to the Lord.” –Lamentations 3:40

“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion;
slow to anger, and of great mercy.” –Psalm 145:8

“The Lord upholdeth all that fall,
and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” –Psalm 145:14

From time to time we get out of routine and stop reading our Bibles, or being faithful to a service, or we start back doing something we promised the Lord we’d stop. Is it better to stay down when we’ve fallen and give up? Or would it be more pleasing to God and helpful for us to get up again and start afresh? If we read the passages above and study further in Scripture on the forgiveness and faithfulness of God, we will no doubt have our answer.

Let us never lose hope, give up, or quit. Let’s take a quick evaluation and if there is something we are lacking, may we jump up and get with it once again. Occasionally, this is necessary and we all must do it. So I ask again…how was your summer? If God was pleased, then wonderful! Carry on! If He was not, and convicts you about a particular issue, then confess it, forsake it, and get back up!

It’s scriptural, it’s right to do, but will you do it? As always, it’s your choice.