It’s Summertime
By Caron Cline
Burke County
‘It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy’…is the first line of an old 1934 tune written by George Gershwin for the musical Porgy and Bess. The lazy, hazy days of summer are anticipated during the bleak, cold days of winter. Students look forward to time away from school, families anticipate vacations at the beach and everyone enjoys those evenings sitting on the patio or around the pool sipping iced tea and lemonade. The days of summer offer more time to visit with neighbors and friends and attitudes seem to improve along with the weather. However, the summer of 2022 could include some of the most challenging circumstances ever faced in this nation. Gasoline prices continue to skyrocket, food prices are increasing daily, lack of labor continues to cause supply chain issues, and new pestilences continue to rear their ugly heads. So much for a summer of easy living! When the world in which we currently reside is in emergency mode, what should be our response? As ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, we have a responsibility to extend an invitation for citizenship to all who are weary and burdened. The King, Himself, bore those sins which produced the evil effects currently surrounding us. His sacrificial blood on the cross was sufficient to release all those held in bondage to the devil. Any person who accepts Jesus’ sacrifice for their sin, repents of that sin, and commits their life to follow Him, is granted automatic citizenship. The benefits offered to citizens of God’s Kingdom completely relieve the stress of high prices, lack of supply, and mysterious diseases. Philippians 4:19 promises that ‘My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus’. Matthew 6:32-33 are the words of Jesus, assuring His followers that worry is unnecessary because our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and will provide it. He commands us to ‘Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you’. Exodus 15:26 is the Voice of God, saying to His people, ‘I, the Lord, Am your Healer’. Psalm 103:3-5 lists several amazing benefits for Kingdom citizens: “…Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles”. The promises of God are never dependent on this world’s economy. “His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness”. The Kingdom of God is always advancing and never suffers lack. Our mandate from heaven is to spread this good news to those who are quickly losing hope; to those who are weighed down by fear and hopelessness. Our words and our lives should be so winsome and abundant that others will desire citizenship in this Kingdom of grace. May we lift our eyes above the present circumstances and set our minds on the things above. After all, we have died and our lives are hidden with Christ in God!
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Caron is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. She loves to teach the word of God.
Her desire is to see every believer grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
You can read more Christian News from Caron HERE.
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