How was your summer?

Have you thought about that question? It’s an important one for all of us who work in the field of campus ministry to sit with…

Why?

Because we are about to start a new year with students… whether we’re ready or not!

The summer of 2009 was not what I had anticipated it would be… The long and short of it is that we sold our home, and were supposed to close on the purchase of a new one on that same day… but for mold-related reasons, we did not… and ended up spending all summer “on the road.”

We are slated to close on the purchase of our “new” new home at the end of this month… all in all it will be 71 days on the road.

Nope, not a part of MY plan.

What was supposed to be the “summer of Guy” (a little Seinfeld humor for those of you who are fans) has been an exhausting two plus months of staying in the homes of friends who were on vacation or traveling to stay with family…

Definitely NOT the summer I had dreamed of back in May. Oh how we cherish, and NEED, our summers as campus ministers.

Can you relate?

Do you find yourself at the onset of a new academic year feeling tired… already?!?

I was reminded on my commute to campus this morning that, regardless of whether or not I’m ready, student leadership training is ON — and all other students will be moving back to campus soon — and the start of classes are just around the corner.

No how matter how hard I might pray, I don’t think there’s anything I can do to put off the start of this new year.

My fear is that I might be tempted, in my tired-state, to put this year’s wine into last year’s wineskins… to put a new twist on an old message… to rely on the things that have worked in the past, with past students, and reuse them with the new…

This is a danger that we must fight against! This is a new year, many of our students will be new students, and they NEED and DESERVE a our best!

I’m thankful that in times of weakness (even as ministers) we have a God who says, Come to me and find rest. Come to me with your burdens. Remember, MY power is made perfect in [your] weakness.

Today, let us remember to pray for one another and the work we are collectively doing in the power of the Holy Spirit! Let us lean into Jesus for strength and perseverance in these transitional weeks of our year. May God be glorified both in us, and through us, as this new year begins!

Grace and peace.