School time was incredibly busy, and it seemed the closer we got to the finish line, the busier our lives became. There was no time for self-improvement, launching a new job, visiting a relative, or starting a new hobby. The time schedules and deadlines swarm around us tightly and dictated what we did, when we did it.
And then it was all done.
Summer!
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| Photo by K Foster (me) |
Although we fill up our summer schedule quickly (too quickly), there should be more time for each of us to dig into our Bibles and make a new summertime to-do list. The Book of Psalms gives us a great schedule for our summer. And I think it's totally doable for Christians.
Take Psalm 96, for example. The first verse gives us something to do: sing. "Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!" Add this fun step to your to-do list. Find a worship play list and listen to it, play it and sing along, sing while you finish a chore. Sing. Something always good comes out of singing to the LORD. The Bible says so (see my last post here).
Second on the list is in verse 2: "Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day." I believe the Holy Spirit drives us to proclaim because it is through those who are saved who understand how "Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). We want to speak of God's goodness. It's good conversation and probably starts in the home. In-the-home proclamations gear us for proclamations outside the home.
Third on the to-do list is in verse 3: "Declare His glory among the nations." This is part of vocalizing your thanksgivings to God. Send a text thanking God for your friend, for being a good Father, for all He has done and for His creation. Speak of what your grateful for. Declare His glory!
I think that's a great start. Here's a summer to-do list synopsis:
1. Sing to the LORD.
2. Proclaim the good news.
3. Declare His glory.
If you need a pep-talk to get you going, Psalm 96 has that for you, too! So, here's verses four through six on why you need to get started and get started now:
God is great -- He deserves nothing less than to be praised. Out of all the gods we mess with, like our phones, TV, or our own ambitions, God is the God to be feared, because the God who sent His own Son to take your place in punishment made the heavens. Furthermore, His church is a place where you can go in and feel the presence of honor and majesty, and His strength and beauty.
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| Church in Bahamas, photo by K Foster (me) |
It's a great to-do list that can become part of your lifestyle so easily. When those busy school days pack your schedule too full again, you'll not want to let go of these three top priorities.
Have a great and intentional summer!