One big story this summer is the heat wave being experienced by much of the US and other countries in the world. So much of the world is embroiled in this heat wave that began on June 10 and shows no sign of letting up anytime soon. It seems to be caused by a “heat dome” that traps heat on the earth’s surface and also tends to keep rain from forming and providing some cooling relief.
If there is any good news in this weather, it seems to me that summer heat started later this spring than normal. My observation from living in Gainesville for 53 years now is that the “Gainesville summer” traditionally lasts from May 15 to September 15 when the humidity kicks in and creates the extreme sweaty conditions we have every summer. I make this claim based on the “Marks Sweat Index” (MSI) which measures the sweat I create when working in my yard year-round. This year, from May 15 through June 10, the MSI seemed considerably less than most other years. I will take any bit of good news to try and feel cool during this extended heat wave.
This current weather condition made me think of the following popular scripture put to song in 1965 by The Byrds titled Turn, Turn, Turn:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 – For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Some of the seasons we experience in our lives are unique to us such as our childhood, young adult, middle-age, and old age seasons which we all experience individually, uniquely, and at a different pace. This current weather event is another shorter chapter in our lives, and a season that we are sharing with millions of other individuals in our country and world. There are many things we can all worry about at the moment related to the heat wave– the size of our utility bills this summer especially for older folks living on fixed incomes or families struggling financially with young children or babies in their home, whether our AC unit will hold up throughout the entire summer, and worrying about loved ones whose jobs may require outside work (I feel very sorry for roofers this summer!).
However, God tells us:
James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.
One key for Christians in this trial is staying focused on God and helping those in need that we can support through this time, especially those with financial and health issues. We must trust in our faith and share our faith and light with others we come into contact with who may be in need of some hope at this time.
2 Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Jesus is our light in the world. He came into the world to cast out the darkness, to bring people to God, and to empower His followers to do good works that bring glory to God.
As followers of Jesus are faithful as they live according to God’s standards, we too become the light of the world, pointing others to God’s greatness. This heat wave is another opportunity God offers us to be the light for someone else, someone in greater need than us! Don’t miss out on the opportunity if God leads you to someone in need this summer!