I don’t know about you but I actively FIND things to do when the weather’s hot and I make an event of everything. Last week I took an embarrassingly long time (too long to mention) getting myself dolled up for- wait for it- an appointment to get my car service book stamped! All this because the sun was out and I wanted to make the most of the glorious weather (that and making sure I get good wear out of my numerous pairs of sunglasses!).

In Isaiah the Lord instructs us to ‘arise and shine’ (Isaiah 60:1). Soaking up the sun and enjoying the weather led me to meditate on this Scripture. How exactly do you ‘arise and shine’? One of the ways in which I could relate this Scripture to my life is by comparing it to the way I view summer. As I’ve said earlier, I make an occasion of everything in summer, making sure that I sap out all the goodness of the day and enjoy the all that it has to offer.

This Scripture encourages me to stand up and make the most out of life. Just as when the sun comes out and I’m raring to start the day, I should be making the most out of every stage, opportunity and event in my life. Life is meant to be LIVED not endured! It’s an amazing gift and one that we too often overlook. So what if this person has got on your nerves, that bill is a bit too much and things aren’t going exactly to plan- the most important thing is that you have life within you. Every moment that passes by cannot be retrieved so make the most out of it.

One of the placards I have at home reads:
‘ I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life but
He gave me LIFE that I may enjoy all things’.

So get on with LIVING and enjoy LIFE- it’s the best gift you’ll ever get!

Dr Jemima Agyare