This exhortation was delivered to Christ Church Downtown on May 30, 2021.

The summer season is upon us and for many of you an opportunity for a more relaxed schedule, more recreation, more bonfires and fun family vacations. All very good gifts from God for you to heartily enjoy.

But we must remember that summer is not a time to kick back and relax spiritually. There are no spiritual vacations in the Christian life.

As the Apostle Peter wrote, we must always be sober-minded and watchful, because our adversary Satan never ceases from prowling like a lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Now being watchful does not simply mean avoiding temptation and killing sin—the putting off of your old self. It also means further cultivating in your life and your home good spiritual disciplines and habits—the putting on of your new self (Eph. 4:22–24).

One foundational way to remain watchful and alert is to read the Word. We begin our summer Bible Reading Plan through the New Testament on Tuesday, and this is a great opportunity to jump into daily Bible reading with others at a pace of 4 chapters a day. If that’s not your speed or if checking off boxes does the exact opposite of motivating you, then I encourage you to just pick one book, like Ephesians, to read and reread all summer daily at your own pace, learning it front to back.

Regardless of your method, be in the Word consistently. Be vigilant. Be watchful. Take care of your soul and those entrusted to you.