I think that many of us are, by now, facing the summer. For students this is a time free from the responsibilities of projects and papers. But those of us who agree with The Rebelution want something more than just freedom for our summer: we want to be productive in our summer. But what does that mean?

The Myth of “Great Exploits”

The Rebelution blog is all about combating the Myth of Adolescence by setting higher standards for teens. But I think that in some ways it can be misleading. The Twins (as we Rebelutionaries affectionately call Alex and Brett) focus of political exploits and public life as methods of fighting the Myth of Adolescence.

This focus in the literature surrounding the Rebelution has resulted (at least for me) in the misconception that that sort of stereotypical “great exploits” is the only sort. I slowly shifted from viewing the Twins as role-models to thinking of them as the very essence and definition of Doing Hard Things. My mind started operating under the assumption that I wasn’t doing hard things if I wasn’t doing something specifically mentioned by the Twins.

Use the Summer for your Calling

The shift described above is dangerous. It could (and in my case, has) result in unnecessary fretting and/or abandonment of those things which God has called you to. God has called each and every one of us to something. These calling vary amazingly (testifying to our Creator’s amazing nature), and all of them are worthy callings. If what you love to do is God’s calling in your life, then it is no less worthy than anyone else’s calling. So, in a sense, “great exploits” are relative.

So, what to do with the summer? Pursue that activity in which you feel God’s pleasure. The great missionary and Olympic runner Eric Liddell was once reprimanded by his sister for choosing to run when he could be ministering in China. His response was that when he ran he felt God’s pleasure. That was his calling at that point.

Does this mean that you will always be doing that same calling? No, calling does not (hopefully) consume every waking moment. Liddell eventually felt God calling him to actually go to China, so he went and ministered there until he died. If God has one of those “great” things in store for you, He will bring you to it. Your responsibility is to hear and answer His call.

Hearing the Call

How do you hear the call? I don’t have any clear formula for you. First and foremost, you need to pray with God about it. But there are a couple things you should remember as you examine your pastimes:

  • Remember that your calling will likely be the pastime that you experience the most joy and peace doing.
  • Remember that you may have more than one calling.

So, I recommend that you use this summer to pursue this love that God has put on your heart. It might be anything from helping neighbors to fighting political battles, but whatever it is, so long as it is what God wants you do to, it is the most worthy way to spend the summer in the world.