The 100-degree weather has finally broken!

And the words of the weatherman were: “for the final time this summer.”

How good it was to hear those words of hope. That is a signal for somewhat cooler temperatures to be present, and the anticipation of the occasional cool front that drops as far south as Tyler before losing the southward energy and continuing its push to the east.

At the time of this writing, the promise is to have 60-degree mornings beginning tomorrow. I am ready.

Looking at the landscape of the area, it is understandable that the burn ban has been instituted.

Grasses are short and brown. Some of the trees are showing the stress of the heat, having some yellow leaves showing up, and even some leaves falling as if it is Fall.

Indeed, the stress of the heat has taken its toll and the promise of freshness in cool/cold fronts is lovingly received.

In a conversation with a friend recently, I thought we were discussing the weather, but this friend corrected me in that the topic was discussing the nature of the church.

With the state of the economy and the political unrest, there appears to be a general flow of heat (read it as anxiety) into the local churches.

In too many ways in too many places, the fires of anxiety are robbing the atmosphere of the peace and love that is supposed to characterize the body of Christ.

Hope is having faith in what is not seen. Those who have hope founded in Jesus are sure of the goodness yet to come as well as the safe haven for today.

For the God Jesus knows as Father is a good, powerful, trustworthy, patient, compassionate and loving God.

And we have the invitation to live in the state of eternal life, assured of access to the streams of Living Water welling up from deep in the soul.

And that applies in part to the now, as well as completely to the future. For me, this is an invitation to live in the Light, not conquered by the darkness of the world.

For me, the condition of the world around me is very real, very present, very anxious, but within the living conditions of the Heavenly realm where the Light dominates, the anxieties and the fears can be left outside as we gather as the body of Christ, trusting in the goodness and care of Jesus.

And as we share that love with one another and with the neighbor who drops by for a visit, we may all bask in the coolness of the love of God.

It is my prayer that the body of Christ accept the freedom offered — freedom from the anxieties of the world, step out of the hot weather and bask in the cool love of Christ — now and forevermore.

Prather is pastor of Lake Palestine United Methodist Church near Chandler.