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I love summer. I love the warmth and sun. I love being in water--chlorinated, salted, or fresh! I love festivals and outdoor concerts. I love summer rain storms and some days, I even enjoy the heavy humidity of the air. Summer makes me feel alive! I've got a bucket list a mile long all because I feel like everything happens in summer. This summer, I'm also taking time to make a spiritual bucket lists of sorts. It's easy to let summer slip by and not soak up all that summer has to offer, including extra time to rest and relax with God. Maybe your list will be similar to mine or maybe it will be different but I'd encourage you today to take a moment to stop and be purposeful with how you're growing spiritually this summer.
1) Learn to study the Bible more. I read Jen Wilkin's book, Women of the Word, at the beginning of summer to start. She explains how to study scripture in depth in a practical way but also explains with such clarity why we should be women of the Word. Now I'm working my way through Ezra, trying to implement some of her suggestions. Why Ezra? Well...I don't think I've ever read it and studied it. So why not! 2) Be intentional in praying for people. I would like to say that this is a routine part of my life. Some times are probably better than others. I can easily fall in to the temptation to be my friends' savior when they are in time of need instead of pray. I'm a terrible savior. Terrible. I have been called to pray though and I'm learning how sweet it is to be a part of my friends' lives in this way. I'm trying to be more intentional this summer to ask how I can pray. Especially in the summer when small groups take a break and people are all over, prayer is a sweet way to stay connected, invest in others, and show love. 3) Stop looking at my phone first thing in the morning. Many of you probably saw the article a few weeks ago that gave reasons for why we shouldn't look at our phone first thing in the morning. Ladies, I am so guilty. I've moved my phone to the end of my bed and am trying to wake up to an alarm clock other than my phone now. How is this spiritual growth? Well, I'm praying and asking that the Lord would become the first thing on my mind in the morning.
There are other things that I hope to do this summer too. I have a big stack of books I'd enjoy reading. I'd love to reach out to my neighbors and build relationships with them. I'd love to share my faith and find new ways to more effectively share the gospel. There are lots of things, but it's overwhelming to think of all the ways to grow. So I'm sticking with three main ones. If others occur too, that would be wonderful. But ultimately, I just want to know God. I want God to be my life, this summer and always.