The Longest Day

Today is the first day of summer. Many songs have been written about summer, so whether you prefer Gershwin or singing snowmen, there's something out there for you to listen to today. The first day of summer is the longest day of the year, so from now on, we'll start to see less and less daylight each day. We've got a while before that begins to make a difference, though, so for now, enjoy the sunshine!

The Bible makes heavy use of day/night imagery, but a couple of passages stand out to me. The first is John 9:4: "As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." We currently live in the daylight hours. Things can be done. As long as the world spins, we have two things: work and hope. The work is kingdom work, things which matter eternally we can do in the here and now. The hope is a kingdom hope, a faith God will still save souls and use His Church to make a positive impact in the world. One day night will fall, and this world will burn. Work will cease in the night.

But that will inaugurate an eternal day, as the second of my two passages says: "The city does not need the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there" (Revelation 21:23-25). That promise gets repeated shortly thereafter (Rev. 22:5), such is its importance. The new creation will have no need of a sun, for it will be lit by the light of the Son, a light which will never fade into night. Eternal day -- the longest day -- awaits those who accept Christ as Savior.

And that's something to sing about.