Summer

Summer break is here. Some students stay and take classes, but most take off for home, summer job, or a myriad of other places. During this time it can be easy to drift from the routines established throughout the year of attending church and campus ministries, engaging in bible studies, and personal disciplines of prayer. Community, so important in the academic year, sometimes takes a break leaving us spiritually famished by the time the Fall semester rolls around. Let me encourage you to spend time this summer getting to know the bible book of Romans, specifically chapters 6-8. This passage will help in these next months to keep us grounded in the gospel of Jesus and ready to take on the next year.

The gospel is the work of God to restore humans to union with God and communion with others, in the context of community, for the good of others and the world. No better place than Romans 6 is there to stay personally on track, overcome my bad habits, and help others we meet who don't know what to do in their problems. As you read this chapter, notice that Paul wants us to: know the gospel by understanding our union with Christ; believe the gospel by reckoning it as true in your life; and, live the gospel by offering yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness.

Spend time each day thinking about these things and you will not only have a summer break, but a time of knowing Jesus, others, and yourself better. May God bless you as you seek to glorify him.