As we enter the summer months the church's liturgical calendar turns to that season called “Ordinary Time”. It is a time in the life of the church where things take on a slower pace. Some reasoning for this is because during the summer months our schedules become less predictable as people travel and commitments change. However, this break from our normal routines can also be a time for spiritual renewal.
When we consider what spiritual renewal looks like many of us may think about taking a spiritual retreat. A spiritual retreat is a time when we take a break from our normal routines to pray, be silent, and find God. This summer, as the weather improves, a good practice would be to plan time to be quiet and alone with God in prayer. If you are planning on spending more time outdoors, you might look for a beautiful place to be still in God’s presence among his creation. If you are planning on going on vacation, you might consider using that time to find God. Perhaps you could walk along the beach and pray or get up early to read scripture and listen to God with your heart. There are a variety of ways you might choose to go deeper in your spirituality and grow in faith and holiness.
In scripture there are several places where we are commended to seek God. Many of these verses come from the prophet Isaiah who says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; Call on him while He is near.” (55:6) In other places he says, that people should listen to God “in silence,” and in doing so, “gain new strength” (41). It seems that the practice of seeking God in those times when we can be still and calm has been part of the human experience since we were created.
However you choose to spend your time this summer, remember that God is always longing for a deeper connection with you. If you choose to use your time to connect to God I am certain you will find it to be a time that is refreshing and nurturing for your soul. May God bless you as you, “go from strength to strength” until each of us “appears before God” together. (Ps. 84)
