Well, it can no longer be ignored, we can no longer hide from the truth, the inevitable and inescapable has occurred.  Summer has arrived in Freestone County.

I must admit that I had my first inklings of this season’s arrival while walking around the Fair Grounds this past week and going to the various livestock showings (by the way, congrats to all our young future ranchers and farmers who came out and made a great show).  Just standing outside for more than five minutes generated enough perspiration and fatigue to make one think we all ran marathons.  I actually was jealous of many animals being shown because they had fans being blown on them and water being offered constantly.

As Texans, summer never really surprises us, it’s just that the heat and humidity shows up with a groan from the masses.  It’s kind of like a distant cousin just letting you know that he’s going to be stopping by maybe sometime in May or June and stay until December.  You know he’s going to show up, but you’re not thrilled when the time comes.

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t take all this talk about heat and humidity and not throw in a little scripture.  Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  What a refreshing thought!

That word “welling” by the way in Greek is hallomai which means, “to gush, leap, pour out with great velocity.”  That makes the image of God’s love even more refreshing in these days of heat and humidity.  Perhaps the cool reminder that God’s grace submerges us in the cleansing power and righteous love of Jesus.  Thereby ensuring that no power can overtake us nor remove us from the path Christ has laid in your life.

Think of what it is like to jump into a pool of cool water after spending all day in the sun.  That immersion of relief is only a microcosm of the restoration Christ provides to those who call upon them.

Why go thirsty my friends, beat the heat with Jesus!

Your Parched Pastor,

—

Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United State Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Chaplain – Texas Game Warden Service, Freestone County

Cell:  919-935-2513
Email:  pastormike@fumcfairfield.org