Summer Endurance
When we think of summertime, endurance may not be the first word that comes to mind. I suspect more readily would come enjoyable, relaxing, or playful. Summer months tend to be associated with vacations, school breaks, less meetings, sports, swimming, kayaking, and patio gatherings with family and friends.
Endurance can be the opposite of playful – but endurance has another meaning. It can mean lasting, durable, permanent. The words of the psalms “Your steadfast love endures forever” are repeated frequently throughout the Scriptures. Steadfast is another word that is not ordinarily used in our everyday conversations. Just a few words used to describe steadfast are loyal, faithful, dependable, reliable.
Taken together those words “steadfast love endures forever” are certainly a strong statement about our God! God is Love – everything God does is born of love. Writers tell us that love is not only something God does – Love is the very essence of Who God is.
We can recall or imagine the most loving person we have ever known and then tell ourselves that all human love reflects the Holy One who created us and sustains us in life.
If we are blessed to experience a more relaxed schedule during these summer months, we may be able to carve out some time for reflection. Perhaps we would like to ponder some of these questions or others they may evoke. How does the goodness in this person, this relationship speak to me of God? Or, as we witness the gifts and accomplishments of some person(s) or gaze on the beauties of nature – how do these speak to me of God?
We may want to pray the mantra from Scripture “Your steadfast love endures forever”.
Margaret Hoey
Photos by Caroline Williams