Photo credit (John Autey / MediaNews Group / St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images)

It’s that time of year again… time for the great Minnesota Get Together, time to enjoy the sweetest corn and the juiciest garden tomatoes, time to load the backpack with a fresh box of crayons. The end of August, is the very definition of bittersweet. Summer wonders are on full display but their end is looming all too large.

As we continue this Sunday in 1 John (5:1-6), we are invited to revisit the foundational joys of our faith—the simple yet profound joy of loving God and others. Just as we savor the annual pleasures of late summer, John reminds us of the enduring power of sharing God’s love. Our faith in Jesus is not just a belief; it’s a way of life that brings us back to the basics of love, obedience, and overcoming the world’s challenges with God’s help.

Brian McLaren suggests that “Our faith isn’t a ticket to heaven but a quality of life that begins now.” In the same way that we return each year to familiar, cherished experiences, we’re called to continually revisit the joy found in living out our faith. Loving God and others, keeping God’s commandments—these are not burdens but joys that refresh our spirits, much like a ripe tomato fresh from the garden.

As we embrace the waning days of summer, may we also rekindle the joy of loving as Jesus loved. Let’s remember that these old joys, much like the seasons, are always worth revisiting, for they offer us a taste of the abundant life God intends for us.

May God’s peace find you today. -Pastor Peter

Let’s pray… God of summer, as we revisit the simple joys of life, refresh our spirits with your love. Help us share that love freely, savoring its sweetness. Amen.