3 Habits to Maintain This Summer

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works ,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”- Hebrews 10:24-25

May is upon us – which means summer has arrived! I love summer for many reasons. Summer means time spent on vacation, time spent at the beach, time spent on the back porch with delicious food on the grill. Summer is a time when we get out of our regular routines – for better and for worse. The loss of our regular routine is a two-edged sword. On the positive side, getting out of our routine brings excitement and variety into our lives. We need both of these things from time to time. On the negative side, getting out of our routine tempts us to stray from the good things God has called us to do on a regular basis – things that we need desperately to keep us walking with Him.

So how can we enjoy our summer without straying from those things which God has called us to? Here are 3 habits to maintain this summer:

1)Weekend Worship: The first and most important habit to maintain this summer is that of weekend worship. Whether you’re on vacation, playing travel ball, or on a work trip, the places you will visit have churches. Make it a priority to go to worship even when the rest of your routine has been thrown out the window. Your morning workout on Monday may be negotiable – but worship on Sunday is not.

 2)Weekday Fellowship: I often say that a week is too long to go without being in the presence of God’s people. As Hebrews reminds us, we desperately need to meet together on a regular basis. Though our Wednesday Night activities are put on pause during the summer, make it a priority to get together with other believers and other church members during the week.

 3)Weekly Encouragement: The author of Hebrews reminds us to “stir up one another to love and good works.” What better way to do this than to make it a habit? If you send one card, email, or text every week this summer, you will have encouraged 12 people by the time
August is over and we are meeting together again. By then, it will be a habit – and a biblical one at that.

Will you join me in maintaining these three habits this summer?

Your Pastor and Friend,
John Knox Foster