Does anyone else suffer from summertime spiritual slump? I sure do. Let’s talk about this today.
Each summer I get distracted by outside gardening, family activities, trips, cookouts, visiting with neighbors – call it busyness, call it craziness, call it just plain life in the summer. I am overwhelmed by the calendar and off centered spiritually.
My journal gathers dust. My devotions get read, not daily but once a week (well, on a good week). Even my spiritual director and I took a summer break and won’t meet up again until fall.
I feel like I am in spiritual limbo.
My expectation of accomplishing some extra writing and deepening my quiet time with God during the summer months is not realistic. Or is it?
Do I let the excuse of a full schedule interfere with my most important priorities?
Do I allow myself to be full of busy doings instead of quiet being?
Do I get caught up in the pace of summer instead of embracing the pauses?
Is this a summertime Sabbath or if so, am I enjoying/embracing it?
I miss God. I long to spend more time with him.
I started to think this week about what I could do to change course, salvage summer and to correct my compass back to God. Notice two words in that sentence: I and do. Too much “I” and too much “do.”
So I wait. I be. I rest in God.
I listen. I sip an ice tea on the back porch with my journal and will write only if I feel called to do so.
I let the flowers tell me about God and the birds sings his praises.
I listen in longer contemplative prayer in the mornings.
I trust God will surround summer with his spirit and my slump will be in his hands.
Let’s talk. I am curious if you notice a difference in your spirituality in summer. Do you have more difficulty in centering and hearing God? Do you pray less?
Let’s share some ideas for soothing the summertime spiritual slump.
Just read your comment to Martha Orlando and it resonated strongly with me: Perhaps summer IS a season to approach God in new ways. For example: cultivating the practice of his presence at a time when creation shouts his glory from every corner. Turning every moment of wonder into a moment of worship. Singing his praises at every opportunity–while doing dishes, driving in the car, as well as taking a shower! And God will undoubtedly expand these pleasures with serendipity glory-moments of his own! You’re right: curiosity will keep us alert to what God has planned for us next!
I love all your ideas, Nancy. May God give us both a good dose of holy curiosity.
just read this too and thought of our conversation about Summer sabbath:
http://theartofsimple.net/five-simple-ways-to-make-your-summer-a-sabbath/
Ooooh — Love her ideas, too! Thank you for sharing, Jean.
I can definitely relate to this article, to the slump you mention. I am very active in summer, taking myself and the dog on a jog before work in the mornings replaces my usual devotion time. My son and I are usually outside in the afternoons and evenings. I really have to make an intentional effort if I plan on kindling that fire. I often feel worn and aimless during these dry spells, and always feel the call of Jesus to join him in fellowship. This is happening now, even.. He laid it on my heart weeks ago. Thanks for this important post.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for your comment. I think your key word is “intentional” yes that is essential to kindling that fire within. Thanks for taking a part in our discussion.
Because neither my husband nor I like the heat, we tend to not do as many activities in the summer months. This is great for my writing and spending more time with God, not less. You are right about the “I” and “do” part, though. It’s so easy to get caught up in activities which demand our attention that we fail to see God in the center of it all. Grounding ourselves in Him is the best thing we can do each day.
Love and blessings!
I do appreciate your input. I do do well in the heat so love to get outside even on hot days. another distraction. Have had several emails about this topic too so am thinking summer is just another season and another time to approach God in new ways not just the old ways. I think if I frame it like that it become more of a fun challenge based on curiosity what God has planned next for me – not another to do on my list. Thanks for your comment!