I hate to confess this, but I’m a music junkie. I love all kinds of music. In fact, with every season of the year, and my life, I have an internal soundtrack that is on continual loop. When it comes to this time of year there are a few I cannot escape: School’s Out (for Summer), Changes in Latitude, Dream On, and Summertime Blues. Various reasons exist for each of those songs bounding around my head during summer, but suffice it to say, they are ever-present. 

Summertime Blues speaks of a young man’s obligation to work all summer long instead of enjoying it. In fact, I suppose that after twelve to sixteen years of living on a schedule that included summers being off, it’s difficult for a person to actually have to grow up. Through the whole song the singer bemoans the fact of having to work instead of enjoying (being lazy) the summer. 

Our culture has now embraced summertime as a time for relaxation, travel, vacations, and pleasure. I love it! There’s no place I’d rather be than on a beach with a good book in hand. I love the music, the sun, and the escape. 

But, all of this escape has transferred these “Summertime Blues” from the poor working man having to miss out on an evening date to the church. Because of our desire to escape during the summer, many folks cut out of church too. Everything gets put on “hold” at the church so that folks can relax.

 The problem with the summer isn’t the vacations, it’s our disconnecting from the mission to which we have been called. Jesus called us to follow Him (Mark 1:17). He commanded us to make disciples as we go (Matt. 28:18-20). He created us to give Him glory in all that we do (1 Cor. 10:31). No matter our calendar, we serve one Master.