I know many times it is easy to begin to check out of the normal ways of life when the summer weather begins to hit. We start thinking about summer vacation and plans by the pool. We think about time that we can have with friends and family (even though it is sometimes forced-family-fun). Things really begin to switch up and our minds have the tendency of relaxing during these times where school lets out and the summer vacation begins.

There is a challenge in all of this. It is easy to begin to allow our walk with the Lord to take a break while we seem to be on vacation from the responsibilities of life. I can’t think of a greater time to grow in the Lord and the opportunities really to enter into His rest and His blessing. The chaos and craziness of life that has been going on since the beginning of the school year back in late August or September now allows our soul and heart to quiet down and listen for the still small voice of the Lord.

If you’re anything like me, though, I don’t always remember the opportunities that present themselves to grow in Jesus Christ. I think about the stuff that I want to get done and the projects that need to take place. When I was a teen, back in the day, I thought about funding for my car and having to go get a job in the real world that would last through the summer and find something else to do during the school year. Life really switches gears in a huge and significant way.

Don’t allow your walk with the Lord to shift into a lower gear that slows you down from growing spiritually. Shift quietly and get into the place of life where you can be still and know that He is God. Enjoy the summer break and the freedom that comes from getting away from exams, school work, drama, etc. but don’t get away from all that God desires to do and build up in your heart. He wants to do some incredible things, let Him in to go and do it!

So… Go get ‘em. Do it to it! And know that the best is yet to come, but as for right now, decide intentionally to serve Him this summer with your time. Don’t be part of the summertime checkout! Check into His incredible presence and reality for your life. You are appreciated!

Jay