“Summertime” or “Things grow in summer…but they need water”

Even though I’m in a season of rapid spiritual growth–summertime–that doesn’t mean bumper crops are inevitable. A lot of strategic preparations and plans must be made and carried out in order to have a desireable harvest.

And that is the danger of summertime: complacency, basking in the comfort of the sun’s warmth, looking fondly upon where we’ve come from rather than making the most of the long days and getting ready for fall and winter.

I John 2:13b-17 hits me hard:

And a second reminder, dear children: You know the Father from personal experience. You veterans know the One who started it all; and you newcomers–such vitality and strength! God’s word is so steady in you. Your fellowship with God enables you to gain a victory over the Evil One.

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world–wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important–has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out–but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

I’ve given room in my heart for love of the world’s goods lately. And that love has squeezed out some love for the Father.

Having acknowledged it early (I’ve known about it for some time, but I’m now acknowledging it and shedding the light of His Word upon it and exposing it for what it is. I usually ignore the truth for a month or so.) I’m gong to confess, put a stop to it now, and get back on with growing the crop and preparing for the harvest.