Getting Off the Couch for Christ

Even though Spring is only hinting at its approach, it’s time to start thinking about the summer months. Summer always seems like a time to slow down from the normal pace of life. It’s when school is out and there’s more time with family, community events near and far increase, and generally when we take vacations. All of these things can be good gifts from God!  

But if we’re not careful, it can lead towards of a mindset that was well illustrated well by a t-shirt I saw a few years back.  At the top were the words “My summer has been going well so far.” There was a picture of a man jumping off of a diving board, showing him twist into a horizontal position, where he finally falls onto a couch into a comfortable position in front of a television.

Again, I’m not saying that there isn’t ever a time for leisure and rest. God had actually wired in such a way that we need rest. For decades studies have shown that people who work seven days a week suffer ill-health, both emotionally and physically. It’s one of the many reasons God commanded his people in the old covenant to enjoy a Sabbath rest each week. And summer is a great time for rest and refreshment. 

 

At the same, there is a tendency to forget who we are how we’re called to live as God’s people. Our daily lives are shaped by eternal, cosmic realties which have been revealed in Christ (Eph 1:3–10). As believers, we understand that we have not only been created by Christ and saved by Christ, but we have been given life for Christ (Col 1:16).

So, even in the summer months, we cannot afford to disconnect the way we think about our lives, the world’s needs, and our service to Christ and the call to make disciples. Because here's still a harvest field that needs laborers (Matt 9:37–38). 

 

In fact, lighter schedules and less responsibility over the summer months is a great time to consider how to use the change of pace for kingdom work rather than merely spend more time on the couch.  This is why at PBF, though some ministries take a break over the summer to give volunteers time to refresh and recharge from weekly service, we also provide opportunities for gospel advance! 

 

Our new initiative—Serve & Share Summers—is meant to leverage some of the extra time we have and the community’s desire to be out about for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Specifically, we are serving and sharing with one another as we partner together in praying, going, and giving for the sake of the gospel. And we are serving and sharing with others near and far through practical acts of love and the preaching of the gospel of Christ for their salvation.

 

We have several opportunities already posted for this summer. These range from working the sound board at VBS to going on a mission trip to Philadelphia to committing to share the gospel with a neighbor over the summer. You can even request Gospel of John booklets o hand out in the community or as you travel on vacation! We have something for every member, no matter your skill or experience.

Please visit our Serve & Share Summer page to see all of these opportunities and find a way you can join in disciple-making this summer.