For the Lord has told me this: “I will watch quietly from my dwelling place— as quietly as the heat rises on a summer day, or as the morning dew forms during the harvest.”
Isaiah 18:4
It’s hard to believe another summer is upon us, yet sunny days and warmer nights beckon us to change things up, get outside, and enjoy life in new, exciting ways! It is also time to step out of our shoes and slip on a pair of sandals, open that great book that’s been on the shelf too long, and find a shady spot to stretch out in.
Is it possible to find time to rest and unwind in our busy schedules? Perhaps the more challenging question is this: Is it okay for us to relax and enjoy when so much needs to be accomplished?
The answer to both questions should be yes—most definitely yes! Not only is it alright to take care of ourselves in this way, but we also have the Lord beckoning us to do so. To help you consider this unique perspective, here are three recommended areas to contemplate adding to your calendar this summer:
Rest:
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30, NLT
Jesus took time to rest and get away from the busyness of His life, and He also calls out to us to rest in Him. When we take time to relax, we will actually be more effective in our relationships and in our work.
Reflect:
O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
Psalm 40:5
Summer is a perfect season to reflect on all that the Lord has done for you. When the sun rises each morning, thank Him for the miracles He has done for you throughout the years. As you move through your day, consider the blessings in your personal and professional life. And as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, praise God for the things He helped you accomplish and the new life that awaits you tomorrow—whether you wake up here or in eternity!
Re-energize:
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one…as for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
II Thessalonians 3:3, 13
With all of the craziness in our world, it’s easy to get down and discouraged. Yet as we rest in the Lord, taking time to reflect on the truths in His Word, He will strengthen us for the journey that lies ahead. We need to do our part too, which includes not letting people or circumstances distract us from our real mission: to glorify the Lord in all that we do!
These are some of the thoughts I wrote in Summer under the Son: Daily Devotions to Bring Light into Your Life. My prayer is that you will make time to rest, reflect, and get re-energized this summer—enjoying all of the blessings the Lord provides each and every day!
Thought for this Summer
Let my soul be at rest again,
for the Lord has been good to me.
Psalm 116:7