Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Summer is now fully upon us.  The mercury is rising, the days are long, and we tend to have a little extra time.  And the age-old question confronts us, “What are you going to do this summer?”  For some reason, summer has become the time to do everything, from vacation to projects around the house.

Before we get into the laundry list of things to do this summer, let’s consider a different question: Isn’t doing too many things the reason we were looking forward to a summer slowdown?  Isn’t “doing things,” what we were trying to get a break from?  It seems summer is about doing the things we didn’t have time for the rest of the year.  And that is exactly where the problem lies.

Perhaps summer is God’s way of saying, “Slow down!” In Exodus, Chapter 20 – as part of the Ten Commandments – God actually tells us to stop being so busy.  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work,” (Exodus 20:8-10).  God’s suggestion is to replace work with an activity that truly brings us rest, by reading His reinvigorating Word or seeking His wisdom in a time of prayer.

As we run here and there, doing this, that and the other thing, let’s make a pact to find time for summer inactivity.  This summer let’s actually get some rest!

We invite you to cool off and rest with us on “Soakin’ Sunday,” July 17 at 10 a.m. We will be kicking off a new series on treasuring the simple things in life, and the kids can have fun staying cool and getting wet.  Bring a towel!

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.