There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB
A summer rhythm reset of the soul involves intentionally creating space for rest, rejuvenation, and soul care during the summer months. We must go beyond basic self-care expressions of exercising, learning new skills, and spending time in nature—we must cultivate a deeper relationship with God through prayer, meditating on scripture, practicing gratitude, and journaling.
Every season of life includes both good and bad times. Disappointments, stress, hard times, and anxiety are part of life. They can throw us out of rhythm. Has there ever been a time when you got out of rhythm due to a stressful or difficult situation? What did it take to get your rhythm back and find peace again?
When we face these challenges, they are not shocking exceptions, they are just part of life.
Recognizing this valuable truth is very important in living a life of contentment. The Bible tells us in Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength, he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.”
All the seasons of life we experience before we step into eternal life are part of living out God’s plan for our lives. Please know that no detail or second of your life is without purpose.
A “season” figuratively expresses the changing stages of our lives and the way of life as we know it according to how God has arranged them. Resolve to live each second, minute, hour, and moment with purpose and contentment.
Isaiah 43:18 states, “Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past.” God is telling the Israelites that resetting is an opportunity for them to look for Him to do brand-new things and not to get stuck in old paradigms and ways of doing things.
Life is dynamic and constantly changing. In order to live well, we must flow with the changes.
“Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking –around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1-2 The Message
Heavenly Father, You are the Author of my Days, with a plan and purposes for each season of my life. Help me to trust You in the timing and rhythm of my life! When I walk through unexpected circumstances that bring changes to my life, guide me to a new rhythm of seeking You daily in prayer and Scripture reading. You are the constant that I need. Remind me daily that my plans for my life do not mean that I am in control of my life – far from it! Help me to humble myself and submit to the path and plans that You have prepared for me, that will lead to more discipleship and fruitfulness than I could ever have planned myself. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
With Great Expectations,
Gwen Bradley
National Liaison for Prayer Mobilization and Partnerships