Woman to Woman: A New Perspective on Summer Refreshment

While summer is often a season of activity, recently the Lord brought to mind the need for balance. Prompting me to include times of refreshing in my schedule, which in turn renew my emotional, physical, and spiritual energy.

Allow me to invite you into a new perspective on summer refreshment.

Spiritual Refreshment for Summer

The Lord provides so many ways for soul refreshment during the summer months! Though vacations, outings, and children's activities can tempt us to skimp on our spiritual care, God gifts us Himself in the season of summer for enjoyment, growth, and serenity.

Consider ways of drawing near to Him while delighting in this new season of leisure.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

1 Corinthians 2:9

Heaven on Earth

Except for the oppressive heat, summer seems a foretaste of heaven. The earth in full bloom, green, lush trees, shrubs, and plants, sunshine throughout longer days and the perfect cool of extended twilights.

Beautiful lakes, ponds, and rivers with their inviting cool water, birds of every type and color, and fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance. (Revelation 22:1-5)

Make time for truly becoming immersed in God's beauty surrounding you this summer. Have your Bible reading and prayer time outside in the cool of the morning or evening.

Sit quietly relishing the bird calls, cool breeze, sunset or sunrise; God paints a new one each day, when was the last time you noticed?

Rest for the Weary

Jesus Christ is our refreshment; the very center of all we need emotionally, physically, spiritually.

His pre-eminence in all things keeps Him in the center of picnics, vacations, long walks, and every summer delight we experience. (Colossians 1:18)

His Presence transforms each moment into divine refreshment and joy.

Seek His beauty in creation and in the image stamped upon those in your company. Meet Him by the side of a glistening lake, in the waves tickling your feet, the laugh of a child, or the cool of your garden at dawn.

Accept His invitation of rest and renewal for your soul, for He alone knows your every need.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

Reset for Restoration

Our triune God truly offers times of refreshment, but do we desire this refreshment?

My question may seem rhetorical, but how many of us prefer seeking our own way more than God's way?

Too often my heart is prone to wander. Jesus beckons us come to Him for refreshment, but we only receive in proportion to our seeking. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Are you seeking Him with all your heart?

Repentance speaks of a turning, specifically away from sin and towards God. Certainly, make time for sitting quietly before God in sincere repentance if that is the need of your heart.

But repentance is not only turning from sin; it is also a desire to turn from seeking your own way back to God. Perhaps a time of refreshing for you may require changing the posture of your heart more towards God in submission and expectancy for His plans for you.

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

Acts 3:19

The summer months offer us the full bounty of the earth, God's creation in array for our pleasure. At times it alludes to that eternal summer soon coming.

Summer seems a prelude to the genuine glory of the new earth promised to us in Revelation 22:1-5. When the glory of God will be our light, a light to outshine the glorious sun we see so often in the summer months. Summer woos us to him; will we see?

"Enjoy the sun that is now out and cherish it so that it can move eternally into your heart."