Anyway, summer is a great time of year. School is out. College students have come home or gone to summer jobs. Families are on vacation. (One definition of summer vacation is: “When parents suddenly realize that teachers are grossly underpaid.”)

The apostle Peter no doubt loved summers. Every break he had produced one thought: “I’m going fishing.” One such occasion is related in John 21 after Jesus had gone to the cross and been raised from the dead. Peter probably needed time and space to sort things out in his own mind. So his natural reaction (verse 3) was, “I’m going fishing.” He and some other disciples fished all night.

The next morning, Jesus was on the shore cooking breakfast for them (verse 12). He took Peter aside and asked (verse 15), “Do you love me more than these?” Now, everyone knew that Simon Peter loved everything about fish and fishing. So this was a tough question. Peter had to settle some things in his mind. What’s more important, the souls of men or my pleasure? Peter didn’t have to give up fishing completely. He just had to settle in his own mind what was more important.

That’s the great thing about Christ. His grace gives us permission to enjoy many of His good gifts without the entanglement of legalistic rules. But we do need to settle in our minds what is most important. When all is said and done, Jesus, salvation in Him, and helping others to know Him are far more important that any temporary pleasure. So enjoy the summer. But don’t forget what’s most important.

Here are some suggestions on how to do that: Host a block party in your neighborhood to get to know people. Invite another family to church and take them out to lunch after- wards. Visit a shut-in who can’t get out. While on vacation, point out to your children the wonders of God’s great creation. Use the time on vacation to talk to your family about Jesus (Deuteronomy 6:7). Visit another congregation on Sunday and pray for those of us back home who aren’t on vacation. Remember that the financial needs of your church family in Petaluma don’t take a break. Make sure your regular tithes and offerings get here even if you’re someplace else.

“Do you love me more than these?” is a penetrating question. Answer it by saturating your summer (and ever other season) in the things of God.

— Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton