THE SPIRITUALITY OF SUMMER

                Typically, when people hear the word “summer,” images of beaches, pools, vacations, picnics and festivals are some of the first things to come to mind. After a long cold winter in Western New York, we all look forward to reconnecting with the great outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and warmth. There is a sense of relaxing that enters into our summer routines. The rhythms of our work changes and we try to take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy all that we can.

                The spirituality of rest is often an overlooked aspect of our faith, but to God, it is far from insignificant. When forming the universe and all of creation when God was done creating the earth, He took a day off. As the Book of Genesis tells us on the seventh day God rested, not because he was tired from creating, but because He was setting a precedent for us. Rest is a gift from God, created by God to give us time to recuperate and spend time with Him. Just as we are meant to work during the week and set aside the Sabbath, summer is for us the “Sabbath” of our year. We have been given a time when the pace of society slows down.

                So do fun things, take vacations to interesting places and explore. It is critical for our spiritual development that we take the time to rest, relax and enjoy the life that God has created for us.