Jenny Sanders encourages us not to let our spiritual rhythms slip during the summer break, she offers five simple ways to stay connected to God while fully enjoying the rest and refreshment the season brings.
Exams are over, the end of term is in sight; hurrah! The longed-for light at the end of the academic year is your holiday. Doubtless you have visions of sand, sun and some of those appealing coloured drinks with ice and umbrellas in them, to be enjoyed away from the relentless pressure of a work schedule or the insistent ring of an early morning alarm.
It all sounds wonderful. Whether you’re going to Brighton or Barbados, the Caribbean or Clacton, enjoy every minute and squeeze all the replenishing joy out of it, with or without children.
The treacherous barb inside the idyll of the summer holidays is the temptation to abandon our routine
The treacherous barb inside the idyll of the summer holidays is the temptation to abandon our routine to the point that our good disciplines trickle away like the ice cream we dropped on the pier. Bin the gym and hog that sun lounger; put the diet on hold and indulge in calorific treats, but being on holiday from the usual doesn’t mean being on holiday from God. Our spiritual life and our faith walk have the opportunity to be strengthened in this summer season if we plan ahead and think creatively.
READ MORE: Gathering together at summer festivals positively impacts our churches
Here are five ways to anticipate and strategise effectively to make the most of our change of rhythm.
1. Ring fence time with God and guard it vigilantly. Whatever time of day you choose, deliberately set it aside or it’s likely to be stealthily stolen away by the raft of other activities that require your involvement. We don’t need to be super-spiritual martyrs about it – remember, intimacy with Jesus is a privilege not a duty – but we do need to be in our guard to avoid spiritually flabbiness. If your body is tuned to wake at a certain time, then holidays may genuinely provide a quiet time before the household stirs.
READ MORE: Make your holiday count as a Christian (anyone else ready for some sunshine?)
2. Check that to-be-read pile of books that you’ve been meaning to get around to for months (join the WA Book Club here!). Instead of snatching a chapter here and there, losing the thread along the way, now you have the perfect chance to read an entire book with continuity – a total treat! Maybe read or listen to something from a different genre. A missionary biography, a commentary on a single Bible book, or a non-fiction on a theme around Christian character might stretch your spiritual muscles, challenge, stimulate and broaden your perspective.
Exchange your usual playlist for something fresh
3. Exchange your usual playlist for something fresh. Tune in to Christian radio for a change while you prepare breakfast or supper. Premier Christian Radio has vibrant programmes packed with interviews, worship music and chat. Alternatively, ask You Tube® to select a playlist for you or dig out those old CDs you listened to ten years ago and listen out for relevant truths that still speak to you.
4. Don’t neglect your “Jesus community”. If you’re on holiday, maybe find out where there’s a live church and go along. They’ll be delighted to see you and you may strike gold. We tend to be more open to what God is saying in less familiar places; our expectations are different. Let God surprise you! Some church families have summer holiday clubs, others have visiting speakers covering their summer programme while the pastor/minister/vicar takes a break. Perhaps your own community is planning events you can invite people to.
READ MORE: Going on holiday this year? Here’s why God’s rest is best
5. Make the most of your garden in these summer months. We look forward to the window of opportunity to enjoy it all year, so capitalise on it and invite others to join you there. Reach out to your neighbours with a BBQ, or a cream tea invitation – no strings attached. You’ll get to know them better and they’ll find it irresistible. You don’t need to include a gospel message; just build some bridges. Keep praying for them and one day Jesus may walk across it. Or, up the ante with a friend who could give a 5-10 minute presentation on what their faith looks like where they work: a teacher, nurse, policeman/woman, social worker etc.
Let’s make the most of this summer break to press in to God rather than assume he’s on holiday too.
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