From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. – Matthew 24:32-33 (NRSVUE)
Do you have a favorite summer song? As it hits mid-May and we have more beautiful days, I begin to prepare my summer playlist. There are so many classic summer songs from over the decades. Most of the ones that I consider essentials focus on the laid-back slower pace of summertime and the feel-good vibes that come with it. Depending on what era you want to focus on, some of my favorite examples of these kinds of songs are “Good Vibrations” from the Beach Boys, Eric Carmen’s “Make Me Lose Control,” and “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. Those may be the pinnacle of summer songs for me. More upbeat summer music might include “Carwash” by Rose Royce or “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful. For some, the whole soundtrack from Grease counts as a greatest hits of summer music. More recent chart-toppers on Billboard’s Song of the Summer chart include Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U,” Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, and Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night.”
For me, a good summer playlist balances styles, tempos, and eras. The goal is to get in my car and have that sense of relaxed excitement that I associate with a summertime full of possibilities and fewer responsibilities, along with a dose of hot days where all I want to do is lay around. The reality of summer rarely matches this goal, of course. Days get full of things to do, and sitting in front of a computer in the summer is not really all that different from sitting in front of it in the winter. Having a playlist to go along with driving helps me to at least recognize the changing of the seasons and be in touch with the rhythms of the year. Being in touch with such changes helps us be more aware of the world beyond our daily concerns and to-do lists. It gives me energy and hope, and reminds me to set aside some time to enjoy the fact that the summer is here. We aren’t there yet, of course, but preparing the playlist now allows me to be ready when the time does arrive.
In paying attention to the season and the things going on around us, we can also recognize the sings of God at work. We can see hints of God’s reign coming towards us, as the parable of the fig tree shows us. We can see hints of the Messiah arriving in our midst, making things new, in the midst of a world of chaos. Whether you have a summer playlist or not is not the key issue. That’s a matter of personal preference. What does matter is being attentive to the times around you. In doing so, you we have glimpses of God at work.