Dog Days of Summer

The “dog days of summer” are known as the hottest and most sultry days of the year. I do not know what the temperature is where you live, but down south, we can easily string together many 100 degree days in a row. A cool rain shower is rare. Aside from an oscillating fan or Olivia’s fruity pops, the heat cannot be escaped. I find myself working in short bursts, trying to stay productive doing housework and laboring in my yard, but must admit that I am horribly tempted in these summer days to become inactive. I feel lethargic and lazy at times.

If I am not careful, this feeling can carry over into my spiritual life. I recently reread the story of Eutychus who fell from a window in the third story of a house where Paul was preaching. I wonder if Eutychus was trying to escape the heat from a long day, trying to find a cool breeze as he sat in the windowsill.

Surely at this time, Paul was preaching in power and might. The day of Pentecost had come and he had been traveling across many countries speaking boldly for the Lord. Finally, he was gathered with the disciples, but there sat Eutychus in the window, oblivious, falling into a deep sleep.

Are we guilty of this today? What if a sermon runs over the usual time frame, do we impatiently look at our watch and wonder when church will finally let out? Does your mind wander during prayer or the reading of God’s word? I am just as guilty as the next person. In our human frailty, we can all become lax and wane in our fervor, especially during these hot summer days.

God understands our weaknesses. Even Jesus’ best friends fell asleep during his darkest hours at the Garden of Gethsemane. This is why He exhorts us to

Furthermore, we are told the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. In it we learn the need to remain in a state of constant watchfulness and preparedness. We must do so diligently for we never know the day or hour of our Lord’s return.

The consequences are serious. For Eutychus, it was death. For the foolish virgins, there was no second chance to enter into the wedding banquet. Even in these sweltering dog days of summer, we must purpose to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.