Summer's Gift and Invitation: A Season of Rest & Receiving

What do you think the gift of the summer season is?

We are advanced in many ways in the modern world, yet we never master the seasons. They rule much of our lives, both through their storms and their gifts. I love the way the world changes as we move through winter, spring, summer and autumn.

The seasons have lessons to teach us. Seasons are one of the creative ways God shows us who He is and what He is doing in the world and in life. Do you think God enjoys being discovered by us? Just as the Bible teaches that he pursues us, it also says He waits to reveal himself, ready to be found by those who look for him. There is much to be learned about God through the seasons he gives us.

The warmth of spring after the bitter cold of winter inspires and increases all our activity. Summer turns down our pace, tempers our intensity. The temperature climbs, nearly unbearable in places. There are days in the summer that are so hot and humid, I don't want to do a thing except drink iced tea and hide away for an afternoon with magazines.

But not everything considers the intense heat of summer to be a reason for retreat. Consider the tomato plant. I remember Grandma H. showing me her tomatoes on the hottest days of August, picking up the leaves that revealed the green-turning-to-red tomatoes. She told me that without those triple digit days, tomatoes wouldn't reach maturity. They rely on that intense heat to get to their end game.

What does all this mean for you and me?

Well, consider the contrast of the work of spring vs. summer. If you have a garden, whether it is a flower garden or a vegetable garden (or both!), the spring is full of activity. Prepping the garden space. Choosing what plants to plant. Purchasing the plants, haggling over what type of pepper would grow best or which type of squash to plant. Getting the right soil and turning over the garden space. Building the planters (or rebuilding!) Planting, watering, watching with extra care in the early weeks to protect from bugs. Pulling out the weeds.

Spring is a time of wonderful, intense, flourishing, work. The weather is perfect, mild and breezy. The light extends longer. Everyone and everything flourish under the grace of spring.

And then comes the summer. There are still things to do. The plants and flowers need watering. We guard against bugs and snails (though they don't seem to be as prolific as in spring).

But, in a lot of ways, what we do is trust.

We rely on grace – we've done our part and now we leave the "work" of the garden into the hands of God's design in nature – doing the work we cannot. We trust that the work we've done in the spring will allow the summer to do its work, so we get to the harvest.

Sustenance is the ability of food to provide the energy and resources needed to sustain people, animals, plants. In the summertime, we rely on the work of God to sustain us for the coming seasons of autumn and winter.

Summer is a period of rest. We open ourselves to receive the nourishment we need after spring. Just like the tomato plants, we are attentive and planted in the soil of our lives. We look to Jesus to receive the water and food we need to grow into maturity for autumn, for harvest.

So, what can you do this summer to create time and space to receive the nourishment needed for the next season? How can we rest with the one who provides all we need and receive from him instead of struggling to get it ourselves? To be attentive but not strive.

I started doing the "Pray and Paint" series in the summertime. There was a desire for a different kind of bible study, something a bit slower and less workbook-y. I wanted to open my heart and life to hear from God more.

Studying the Bible had turned into a bit of a scholastic endeavor, working to keep up with bible studies at church and my own personal goals of reading the Bible in a year or going through different studies from very smart and wise people. All good, all have their place, but the pace suddenly seemed to be causing fatigue instead of strength.

It's funny, the way we are wired. We need times of respite and times of more intense activity. Too much of either causes us to get out of balance. It was around that time when I read Dallas Willard's wise guidance, to go deeper in the Word of God, to take a shorter amount of Scripture and sink into it for days, weeks, even longer. This was intriguing to me. That's how the "pray and paint" series was birthed.

My brain and soul and heart tend to be quite noisy. There is a lot going on and it can be hard to "be still and know God." Painting flowers helps quiet my heart and emphasize what the verses are saying.

Painting is also a way to rejoice in the gifts God gives. Not everything has to be functional or productive. God placed in us the love for creating, for color and flowers and beauty, to paint and celebrate Him. Why not worship Him and give these gifts back to Him? I love using paintings to incorporate verses and write out prayers. It's another way of allowing the word to sink deeper.

How will you rest with Jesus this summer? Do you sense a desire to slow down and percolate in a smaller section of the Bible? Of course, you can "pray and paint" through any portion of the Bible on your own. But, if you would like some guidance or would like to travel with me, I've included descriptions and a glimpse of the art we create below.

There are three courses available. Included below are descriptions of each as well as links to signing up.

Whatever you decide to do this summer, don't skip spending time with Jesus and in His word. It may not be the season of vigorous study or regular bible studies with friends or church. Whether you choose to paint and pray through one of these or do something on your own, take the time to find renewal in something a little different! Create with Jesus and see how your heart may be reignited.

Where are you in your journey with Jesus right now?

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. These well-known words are faithful friends to many of us. Psalm 23 is a lifeline, a fresh hope, a renewed promise, a reminder of the richness of our reality.

Of all the Pray and Paint through the psalms that I have done so far, this one (the first) I did the most research on. It is one thing to go through this for yourself, but when I decided to teach on it, additional studying was important! I was amazed at the number of books and articles written on this beloved psalm.

What is the allure of Psalm 23? Perhaps it is the comfort and strength that comes to us when we live with God as our shepherd and take our place as His sheep through the journey of life. God continues to show up, shepherding us in this life, leading us through the hard and frightening places, providing what we need, and most of all, loving us. Not only in the present moment, but in all the moments to come through the day when we are ushered from this earth to heaven.

I don't think we ever stop needing to learn and relearn the grace and goodness of God as our Shepherd.

Wherever you are in life, this psalm is always good to sink into. Read more about this online course and sign up here.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."
Psalm 23: 6a