The Whale Shark
The Whale Shark
by Mary Kaim (May ’01)
“The whale shark. Oh, I know this one! What is the world’s largest fish? Thank you Alex, I’ll take my $500 now. Wait a minute, this is pathetic, I’ve actually memorized all the Jeopardy answers. And even worse, I’m talking to Alex Trebeck. What else can I do around here … ever since the N64 broke, there’s just nothing to do anymore….”
Does this sound familiar to you? If it does, then all I have to say to you is TURN OFF THE TV!!! You have about three months free from the life of desks, books, and annoying teachers. What are you going to do with it? Yes, you could waste it sleeping until lunch, watching TV till dinner and going out till breakfast, but where will that get you? Sometimes it seems that when school ends and everything starts to slow down, our spiritual lives do, too. Do you think Christ cares that it is summer? Do you think He stops watching just because your teachers did? To me, and I’m sure for many others, summer is a struggle for us Christians. No longer do we have a normal routine, filled with responsibilities; in place of that we are given a whopping load of free time. Free time is the root of all evil. Ok, maybe I’m being a little drastic. I mean hey, we’ve been working for nine months straight; we deserve some free time. But, TOO MUCH free time really is the root of all evil. It is when we have nothing to do that we end up wasting our time doing things that more often than not, slow us down on the highway to Heaven.
Having an idle mind is like giving an open invitation for Satan to come on in. It’s too easy for him to find ways to slip in, when we aren’t occupying ourselves with productive things. Besides, as we all know, each day is a gift from God, and as they say, “Life is short.” Time is too valuable to waste. So right now you’re probably thinking I sound like your mom. You’re tired of hearing, “Turn off the TV and do something useful.” So what is it that you should do? It’s simple…pack up for three months and head off to Africa as an Orthodox missionary.
Ok, maybe not everybody is cut out for that, but let’s think more realistically. What can you do this summer? First of all I would like to take this time to remind everybody that, contrary to popular belief, church does NOT shut down over the summer. True, Teen SOYO slows down as do many other organizations at church, however all church services continue on as they always have. Keeping your church attendance steady is a start, but now that school is over and the “I have way too much homework tonight” excuse doesn’t fly anymore, maybe you can make those weeknight services that we couldn’t get to before. Or even simpler, maybe now that our lives have slowed down, it’s a good time to start good habits. School used to provide us with a sense of discipline and schedule, now why don’t we use our morning and evening prayers to discipline ourselves. It only takes two weeks to make a habit of something, so when school starts we will be so used to this schedule, it will be set for life. Or how about that Bible collecting dust on the bookshelf? I mean really, if you don’t use your brain at all this summer, it’s not gonna just magically turn itself on come September. Why not keep it in shape while reading the Good Book? Maybe you’re ahead of me… you already have a prayer routine and read the Bible. Maybe you could try out some other books. Do you know how many books are out there written by the Church Fathers? These books and the Bible are the books that will help you move along that highway to Heaven.
What’s that? Even after all this you still have some free time? Ok, what else? Did you ever think about asking your parents if they needed help? I mean seriously, work doesn’t stop for them; when do they ever get a break? If your mom is anything like my mom, I’m sure when you ask she will easily find something for you to do. Not only will you be occupying yourself and stopping that invitation to the devil, but you’ll be helping out and gaining major responsibility points with your parents. And on the small chance that your parents will have absolutely nothing for you to do, there is still plenty you can do. Baby-sit, mow lawns, or volunteer. As I’m sure you’ve been told many times, all of us have been given our special talents. We are all talented. How selfish of us to take what God has given us and keep it to ourselves. Whatever it is you are good at, find a way to use it. Have musical talent? Perform at the local nursing home. Like to work with kids? Volunteer for summer camp at the Y. Like to swim? Give lessons. Whatever it is that you can do, there is something for you to do with it.
Ok, so now you’re thinking, “All this sounds great, but when do I get to have any fun?” Well, first of all, hard work, especially when you are working for others, can turn out to be a lot of fun. Nonetheless, there is nothing wrong with going out and having fun. Now is the perfect time to get together with other Orthodox Christians and hang out. Remember, where one or two are gathered in His name, there He is also. The more time you spend together the closer you will grow. Together you can have fun; and because you are all Orthodox Christians, you can help each other keep moving up that Highway.
If you’ve tried all of that and you STILL have nothing to do, then drive down to your church, track down your priest, and say, “Father, I have way too much time on my hands, what can I do to help around here?” I know he’ll keep you busy.
So, now I’ll leave you to make your summer plans, but just remember, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23).