For nine months out of every year, I run my personal schedule like the army runs recruits. Alarm goes off at 5:30 or 6:00, kids receive breakfast and conversation before heading out to school, I work out, or get myself somewhere, run the necessary errands, make the calls and send the emails and do the studying and writing that must get done that day. 

Sometimes, I take a breath. Every evening I crash. 

It’s all done with the true and motivating understanding that if it doesn’t get done in this moment it may not get done at all. This is my schedule, kept at peak efficiency. And it truly works for me…for now…with all that I have on my plate.

Then summer comes. 

And because this is the rhythm of the ministry work I do (and because I set a deadline to simply stop working come mid-May) a whole new rhythm starts. It includes not caring what time I roll out of bed. Running only the essential errands, making only the most essential calls. Not emailing anyone. Deep study of God’s lovely Word gives way to sweeter, smaller, devotionals. And reading all the books that have accumulated, unread, for nine months. No lectures are written or delivered. Volunteer recruitment ceases. Instead, I do puzzles. And listen to books on Audible. And sit in my garden. Doing nothing. 

It’s a good rhythm.

Now, this wasn’t always the case. When I was a student, when I worked full-time, when my kids were young…basically, in other seasons of life…summer wasn’t about slowing down or resting. So for you, maybe summer isn’t when you’re invited into a slower rhythm. However, the basic truth is that establishing new rhythms–however God invites you to do so–can create new and wonderful opportunities.

But it can be daunting. This year, as summer approached, I started feeling some apprehension. A vague feeling of impending distress went on for some time before I noticed it, and even more time before I finally asked myself “hey, what’s that about?” Only then did I discover that I was worried. What was I worried about? Not being busy enough? Not reading the Bible enough? Not structured enough? Something like that, I realized, was wiggling its way in. But almost immediately, Jesus spoke into my heart. With a message that sounded something like: I’ve got you. You don’t need to worry. Just rest in me.

It’s true that starving ourselves of the Word of God and being out of fellowship with believers will stifle our awareness of God’s presence. Those things are a recipe for forsaking your first love (Revelation 2:4). But there’s a difference between much-needed rest and spiritual slacking. You and I needn’t worry that a new rhythm will make us forgetful of our Lord. On the contrary, a new rhythm is a gift directly from Him. An invitation to meet Him in long-neglected ways.

So…some reminders for myself and for you, if you’re anything like me: working like crazy for Jesus doesn’t prove your love for Him. Busyness isn’t a fruit of the Spirit. Slow down once in a while. Let Him lead your days. Follow Him when He says, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).

For those of us in seasonal ministry, summer isn’t about stepping away from Him; it’s stepping away from the work for Him, just for a little while. Instead, we draw near to Him in neglected ways…through the reading of a good book (I’ll suggest a few below), the slow tending of a garden, digging into a neglected project, making time for creativity. He has promised fullness of life, not busyness of life. How wonderful, to see this fullness manifest in the long, leisurely rhythms of summer!

In this new summer rhythm, I intend to write more often.  Maybe I’ll even share some of that writing here.

Or…maybe I’ll do another puzzle. 

Who cares?  It’s summer.

Enjoy it, my friend!

If you’d like join me in reading some great books, these are what I’m into lately (yep, these are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase):