This seems to be the conversation of the day – how do we save summer? It’s usually the time we take a break or a vacation. We just go with the flow and deal with what life throws at us. We go to the lake, wake up late, enjoy the sun and the company of friends. Summer blockbuster movies, family picnics and camping. Summer is about living life, enjoying the gifts of nature, family and friends. But summer this year is a bit different. Summer activities have been cancelled or are limited. Kids are finding themselves out of summer camp, summer school, summer trips, visiting loved ones or simply not being able to go to the local ice cream shop because they are closed due to COVID-19 or recently vandalized. Even going to the lake has turned into an unknown with protesters and violence recently occurring at one of our local lakes. How do we continue to foster some kind of “normalcy” in these strange times? How do we save summer?
As we continue to navigate through these tumultuous waters, with COVID-19 and the recent protests, violence and hate, we need to continue to recognize the pain we are suffering, the grieving and the healing that needs to take place. There needs to be change in the world. It may be easy to say, but we know we have a hard road ahead.
Isaiah 41:10 says:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
How can we help those around us when we ourselves may be feeling fear? The last few weeks have brought about many conversations about race and privilege or lack thereof. Of society’s lack of understanding, empathy and respect. Some of us have felt the discrimination and the fear of being a different color, speaking a different language, having a different cultural background or eating different foods. Having discussions and talks have opened up dialogues. But dialogues are not enough.
How do we save summer? How do we save ourselves? We need to have HOPE. To see despair in a person’s eyes when feeling trapped by society’s “norms” of what it means to be of a specific race, brings fear, tears and hopelessness. We need to learn from our histories, we need to learn from our present and we need to have hope. We need to accept the strength our Lord gives us for he is always with us. It is not through violence, vandalism or hate that we can effect change. We need to have TRUST. Trust in our Lord, trust in one another. Romans 15:13 says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
We need to have FAITH. We need to accept each other and have faith. Have faith that with hope, trust and love, we can change the world. We can learn from our mistakes and learn from one another. This is how we can save the summer – a season associated with sunshine, good times and love. This is how we can save our world. For “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” – 1 Timothy 1:5
