But Lord, It's Really Hot!

 

Where I live in Japan summers are hot, and I do mean hot. That translates to the mid-30s to low 40s Celsius, or mid 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit. That is really uncomfortable, but added to that is humidity, around 60 to 90%.  It can make for some really hot, sticky days.  I find it to be a challenge to be at my best, and in reality easy to be at my worst.  I confess to being very grumpy some days. 

Now to be honest, we have air-conditioning in our central living area, but the rest of the house is dependent on fans and breeze.  We sleep in uncooled bedrooms and of course our outdoor activities are breeze cooled. 

I find it easy to complain about summers as I return from an early morning run or horse riding with my shirt sticking to me, dripping with sweat.  But there is a troublesome verse in the Bible.  Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  I wish it said, “except really hot days.” But it does not.  That means God made this miserable, hot day, and is waiting for me to rejoice at all He has made.  It is not selective rejoicing.  If God made the day, I am to rejoice in it.  In the whole thing.  I really find that one hard.  I find myself saying, “I can’t rejoice in this.”  Then God speaks to me and reminds me of another verse Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” My strength does not cover rejoicing in this heat, but I can do it the strength of Christ.  Since His strength even conquered the grave, I guess it can handle hot days.  So today I rejoice in this day God has made only through the strength of Christ!  Amen!