Fond memories. Each summer my brothers and I would take turns to brush the family cricket bat with linseed oil. I don’t know if that still needs to be done with the modern bats, but in the olden days, bats certainly required such regular treatment, else they would split and crack. The whole experience was immensely satisfying on two counts – to see the old dry wood literally drink in the oil, and to enjoy the most pleasant fragrance of linseed.

It seems to me that we Christians also need regular oiling if we are to stay in the game. Theologically, believers receive the Holy Spirit at their conversion. Actually before their conversion, the Spirit does his gracious work of effectual calling and regeneration, and then upon our response of repentance and faith, the Spirit is given to us, to indwell – and to permanently stay, and to seal and sanctify, to counsel and comfort, and to bless and beautify.

But also sometimes, according to his sovereign grace, and by his own will and in his own season, to breathe upon a believer a work of refreshing. Some theologians call it unction. Like linseed oil on the bat, it soothes the wood and addresses the cracks and somehow puts a spring in the sweet spot. And when that happens, it’s not just scoring ones and twos and staying doggedly at the crease, but hitting the odd four and six, and smiling through the sweat. And when that happens – happy summer days.