"Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18a).

What plans have you made for your children this summer? During our first years of being a distance learning family, I made the mistake of failing to plan activities. Tired of following schedules throughout the school year, I wanted to take each day just as it came. Although this idealistic idea of allowing my children to play and explore on their own worked initially, I soon found them bored and looking for things to do. Coming to me for suggestions, they needed a purpose and a plan for each day, even in the summer. Frittering away the summer was simply not going to do, and I needed to stay in tune with God's plan for their lives.

Wasting time is never wise in living the Christian life, either. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about sitting back and letting life pass you by. Rather, the apostle Paul repeatedly addresses the need to discipline ourselves to achieve our utmost for God's highest. Buffeting our bodies and taking on the mind of Christ, we are to live each day wholly committed to doing the Lord's will. In fact, God commands us to present ourselves as living sacrifices that He might use us for His glory, no matter what time or day of the year (Romans 12:1).

What about you? Do you think you and your student have earned time off from serving the Lord? Until the Lord returns, God expects you to be about His business each day using the gifts and talents He's given you. Don't be like the lazy slave in the parable of the talents who hid his talent in the ground (Matthew 25:14-30). Instead, come to the Lord each morning in prayer and discover God's purpose to keep your life hitting the mark. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

Lord, forgive me for wanting to be lazy this summer and for even thinking about neglecting my walk with You. Teach me to be steadfast and committed to Your will. I recommit my life to You today to use for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.