Dear friends,
July is a great month. The year is nearly halfway over, and we have a lot of exciting things ahead. Graduations are finished, and summer has officially begun. Summer jobs are underway, schedules are shifting, and the rhythm of life feels different. School is out, vacations are starting, air conditioners are humming, and the pools are full. We welcome the heat, the longer days, the chance to stay up late working in the yard, playing baseball, or hosting a cookout. The sun scorches both our lawns and our skin, turning them various shades of red and brown.
As usual, I have several thoughts running through my head in this new season.
1. Love and Care for One Another
As followers of Christ, one of our greatest callings is to love and care for each other. Whether it’s through a simple greeting, praying together, or bringing someone a meal, we reflect the love of Christ in tangible ways. In doing so, we make a pleasing sacrifice to God.
One way to please God is by being friendly and welcoming. Another is by helping to meet the needs of those around us—both near and far.
Romans 12:9–21 gives us a powerful list of ways to put our faith into action, with a particular focus on others. John Piper beautifully reflects on this aspect of Christian living:
“Very simply, the life of a Christian is not only to be a worshiping, praising life, but a shared life; a life of doing good for others and sharing your possessions and your heart with others… The point is that people who get their strength and their wisdom from the altar of the cross, from Jesus Christ, are people who live for others. They get up in the morning and think about how they can do the most good for other people today. This is the sacrifice that they offer to the Lord day after day… The text says that such sacrifices are pleasing to God. If you can see why God is pleased with this way of life, it will please you too and make it a joy and not a burden.”
2. Stay Consistent
Another key to fruitful ministry is consistency.
Let’s be honest: few of us actually experience a restful summer. Most of us pack our schedules, trying to fit as much as we can into these few short months. It’s easy during this season to let the shifting routines affect our relationship with the Lord.
We might begin to think we can take a “vacation” from our spiritual life—quiet time gives way to beach time, church attendance takes a back seat to lake weekends, and giving to the Lord gets replaced by summer projects and trips.
Friends, it ought not be this way.
I pray we become like the psalmist who declares,
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1–2)
Or again:
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” (Psalm 122:1)
3. Be a Witness Wherever You Go
Finally, one of the greatest privileges we have is to participate with God in seeing others come to know Jesus as Savior. God doesn’t need us, but He has chosen to use us as His witnesses.
ELI continues to host in-person and Zoom conferences throughout the summer because the mission doesn’t take a break. But neither should we.
Whether you’re at the pool, a ball game, or your favorite vacation spot, ask God to open your eyes to someone who needs to hear about Jesus. Be faithful to share the gospel.
Jesus said:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
And as you go, don’t forget to pray for the ELI team—those who are teaching, training, and making disciples across the globe. Ask God to give them boldness and courage, and to lead them to those who need the Savior.
