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Lots of things come to mind when you think about summer.  Especially as students, summer means a great deal to us: a break from school, some time to relax, and a chance to do everything we didn’t get a chance to do during the school year.   If you’re like me, you have a mental list of goals for the summer – paint the bedroom, get rid of clutter, read some books, learn to embroider . . . the list goes on and on.  Unfortunately, knowing me, I’ll be doing well if I get just one of those things done.  I’m tired of this trend, so I came up with a new concept to try this summer.

Doing things is great, but I would encourage you to focus not on accomplishing “things,” but on building relationships with people.  Getting to know both Christians and nonChristians benefits us greatly.  However, instead of doing things with your friends because you want to, or because of how it makes you feel, do things for your friends out of love. 

Christian friends help and encourage us.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says,

            “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friends can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (NIV)

Obviously, healthy friendships stand strong through adversity.  During the school year, things get really busy, so it can be extremely difficult to stay in touch with your friends.  I can definitely understand that.  The summer is the perfect time to call up some people you haven’t seen in a while and plan a get-together!  There are so many things you can do in the summer – go out to a park, rent a movie, go out for lunch, take a walk.  You might want to steer away from things like going to the movies or concerts too often, because you can’t really hold a discussion with your friends during activities like those.

Try to make friends with some nonChristians, too.  It’s very easy for us to stay inside our comfort zones and only get to know other Christians; it’s easier to relate to people who know the same God.  But how will nonChristians hear about Jesus if we don’t try to communicate the Gospel?  It’s our responsibility to tell others about Christ.  Don’t just get to know people to evangelize them, though: genuinely reach out to people and embrace them with all their flaws (like Christ did to you).

Instead of focusing on what activities you’d like to do this summer, focus on loving others, Christian or not.  Jesus came to earth and died for us out of love.  He told us to emulate his actions while he was on earth, and love definitely comes at the top of the list.  Think of ways you can show love to your friends and family.  Maybe send someone a quick note (snail mail or e-mail), call someone up just to say “hi” and see how that person is doing, offer to take someone somewhere – all of those things are great, but more than that, I would encourage you to love people when it’s hard.  Love people when they call you at the most inconvenient times and need something, whether it’s a ride somewhere or just to talk.

Love people, just as Christ loved you.  If you try to do that, I promise, you will not waste your summer.

 

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