Vacation at the Sea of Good Intentions

         Any essence of giddiness or hope during the week of final exams can only be explained by the fast approaching summer vacation.  The warm light of freedom never fails to dissolve the dark shroud concentrated by countless hours of studying and staring blankly at computer screens.  I, for one, am already showing the negative signs of “hell week,” highlighted by blood-shot eyes, irritability, and the constant emitting of “glass half-empty” overtones.  Nothing could be more alleviating than the thought of summer – an always-distant entity that means nothing less than pure freedom among American adolescents.  The recurring problem seems to be the massive, brick wall labeled “Finishing Strong,” that hides the 3-month long vacation from our view.  The trying hurdles of this time of year, however, are not the point; what we do once we scale that brick wall is.

         At the threshold of summer, it always seems appropriate to throw around in our minds the endless possibilities available to us.  As schools close and swimming pools open, meaningless aspirations begin to pile up in my head – “getting ripped,” learning to play an instrument, finding a job, meeting new people, and countless other goals that I wish to fulfill.  It was not until just recently that I realized the triviality and mistake of making the focal point of summer none other than “me.”  In fact, it seems that I make every trip home revolve around me somehow.  Lengthy breaks from school typically start with vows to grow spiritually – I would know because of all the ones I’ve broken.  My dear friend (also like a big brother to me) reminded me of this just last week. 

         “What are your spiritual plans for the summer?” Hunter asked me along with a group of friends at a local coffee shop.  At this we proceeded to sound off individually, listing our strategies one by one for staying on track with the Good Lord over the long summer break.  To be honest I don’t remember how I answered the question; something related to reading the Word everyday and clinging to God while away from accountability – yes, something like that.  In the midst of contemplating the three months of possible spiritual growth ahead, I was unaware of the trap already waiting for me.  As I have done every year up to this point in my life, I was once again headed for a summer vacation at the Sea of Good Intentions – a quaint, self-efficient beach of complacency where just a few days of relaxation leads to miles and miles of drifting.  A promise to seek the Lord transforms into a sorry excuse as my old self greets me in the open water, no shore in sight.

         The provocative aspect of it all, is that summer is such a perfect time to be preparing ourselves for the spiritual battle that rages so heavily during the school year.  I needed my God last summer more than ever, but I chose to spend three months drifting into oblivion while worry and fear of college circled me like bloodthirsty sharks.  At the end of August, I landed on the shore of the University of Arkansas, so used to drifting that my “out to sea” mentality continued well into the first semester.  Again and again, I thank the almighty God for opening my eyes to Satan’s network of false prophets and lies; lies that molded me into a regular at the Sea of Good Intentions, where one day away from the word can lead to months as an ineffective Christian.  My Father has shown me that summer isn’t something to be feared, but something to be embraced.  Drifting out to open sea teeming with complacency can’t occur if I never set foot on the sand. 

         For this particular summer, I have already booked ten days to travel to Peru for missions, and I’m not stopping there.   This break looks clearer than it ever has to me, as I now realize that every day usually spent drifting further away from God can be a new opportunity to grow into the man He wants me to be.  Going home should be a prime chance to show my new identity found in Christ, not a chance to drift out to sea to meet my old one.  Now, it should be noted that I will be making a trip to the beach this year with my family, but the Sea of Good intentions isn’t the destination; God and I agreed that a summer long stay is much too expensive – We were thinking Gulf Shores was my best bet.

                                                                     Grace and Peace,

       

                                                                                          J. S. Wade