One of the great things about summer is the opportunity to laze around.

Sometimes that’s in the middle of the swimming pool or the lake, when you plunk yourself on a rubber raft and just drift.

At other times lazing around means sitting on the deck, under an umbrella or awning, lost in a good book.

It’s good, once in a while, to forget about everything, put your mind in neutral and unwind.

We all need the opportunity to rest, relax and rejuvenate.

At the same time, though, keep in mind the words of Paul to the Philippians (3:12b), “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Paul was a relentless servant and spokesman for Christ. You’d never catch him floating in the pool or sitting in the shade! He was all about “pressing on.”

But that was him, not me. I need the rest, at least for a time.

I am all in favor of taking an afternoon to just loaf around, but don’t lose sight of the goal–maturity in Christ. Rest today, to be better prepared to serve our Lord tomorrow. Pastor Jim.