Three Keys to Having a Great Summer

How do we have a good life when things are not exactly going our way?

Watch the service

All of us go through difficult times. In fact, Jesus warned us that in this life we would have troubles (John 16:33). But he also reminded us that he had overcome the world and that he expected us to experience abundant living (John 10:10). But the question is this.  How do we keep going and find some happiness anyway?  Too many people today cannot answer that question.  Sadness is an epidemic, loneliness abounds and addiction is way too prevalent. But Pastor Kelvin advised us to look at Paul’s encouragements in Colossians 3:15-17.

For starters, Paul says we need to “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts” (Col. 3:15). First, we have peace with God through the forgiveness of sins. Then we learn to be at peace with others through patience, forbearance and forgiveness of others. In addition, God adds his peace into our spirits through the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Secondly, Paul repeatedly tells us to be grateful. Some people seem to be constantly looking at what is wrong with their situation and what is missing from their life.  They constantly think about what they don’t have.  With such an attitude, they easily become envious of others and giving is difficult for them to learn.  Perhaps they even curse their circumstances with obscenities and coarse words.  But Paul says that such conversation should not come from Christians.  Rather, Christians should be thankful people who are constantly grateful to God for all the blessings that he has given to them (Eph. 5:4). Instead of cursing the troubles of this world, Christians should often be found singing or making music because they are joyful. A sense of appreciation for all God’s gifts fills our lives with the fragrance of a thanksgiving feast all year long.  Which kind of person is more likely to have a good summer despite a few bumps in the road?  The thankful one, of course.  And they will be more peaceful at heart too!

Thirdly, Pastor Kelvin pointed out Paul’s emphasis upon a Christian having rich interaction with their Bible. Paul says,

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom. 

Col 3:16 ESV

Pastor noted that this seems first of all to be a strong encouragement to spend time in the heart of our Bibles, the Gospels where we find the words of Jesus. Then it reminds us of the need to take our interaction with the Word of God deeper than the minimum.   It is easy to slip into the habit of being happy with a modicum of Scripture exposure, a sermon on Sunday, a short verse in a devotional here and there. And the busyness of life easily squeezes out even that. But Paul is saying, if you want to get the benefits, there needs to be a deeper interaction with the Word of God.  Deep systematic reading, maybe highlighting or taking notes; interactive study with other Christians, and interaction with a mentor all might be part of a more productive relationship with Scripture. This is part of loving God with all our minds as we are called to do.  It puts the essential Bible facts and revelation from our heavenly Father into our memory banks where the Holy Spirit can use it to help us.

Pastor Kelvin then mentioned something that usually characterizes small churches like Copper Hill which Paul also mentions here as contributing to a healthy interaction with Scripture–singing. .  This engages us at the heart level.  It engages our emotions with the Word of God, and it also often engages us with the hymnbook of Israel, the book of Psalms.  When we sing we become much more deeply engaged with the truth that we are singing.  That is what God wants for us.  Scientists tell us singing uses a different part of our brain. And furthermore, when we are singing, we become less anxious and more at peace as well!

When we are richly interacting with God’s word in these three ways, reading the words of Jesus, studying together, and singing, then our whole spiritual life is greatly strengthened. and we will be much more likely to have as great summer too!