Faith in Flip-Flops: Staying Spiritually Grounded in the Summer Slowdown

Summer is different. It has a rhythm quite unlike any other time of the year. Slower mornings, later nights, different clothes, vacations, cookouts, and spontaneous adventures. Even if you do not have kids at home for summer break at your house, you might enjoy more of your day outside, stay up later sitting on the porch with friends, or just take the time to do something a little out of the ordinary.

I guess I think of summertime as being less scheduled than other times of the year. We do not seem obligated to stick to routine. But one thing that should not be thrown aside is our faith because even when life is laid back, our life with Christ needs to keep rooted, steady, and growing. The spontaneity of summer can make it harder to stick to our habits, but here are some practical ways to keep from slipping into a summer spiritual slump:

Make your quiet time summer friendly.

Do not give up your quiet time; just revise it a little. Even if you are on the go or off your routine, consistency is possible with some creativity.

• Listen to audio devotionals while driving or walking.
• Read your Bible outside with your coffee or while the kids play.
• If you need to, switch to focusing on a shorter passage or even a verse each day but meditate on it several times throughout the day. Use a sticky note to put it around the house where you will see it again and again.
• Use your time wisely. When you normally might scroll your phone waiting for kids at practice or at appointments, use your phone instead to read Scripture, listen to worship music, or pray.

Pack your faith along with your flip-flops.

Vacation should not be a break from God. In fact, time away and a change of scenery can be a perfect time to refresh your relationship with Him.

• Bring a small devotional or Scripture journal.
• Choose and share a verse or passage each day.
• Download Bible stories or Christian podcasts to listen to on long car trips or while stuck in an airplane seat.
• If you have kids with you (and even if you do not), be intentional about praising God’s creativity and care.
• Make a vacation gratitude book. Whether you are in the crowds at Disney World or in the quiet of a national park, there are so many things to be thankful for. At the end of each day, take the time, either alone, or with your family, to write down everything good God gave you that day. This can be an awesome keepsake from your trip.

Keep church on the calendar.

Even in all your busyness, prioritize church. If you can, make it non-negotiable that you are going. Staying in church will help anchor the other areas of your faith all summer (and year) long.

• If it really is not possible on a weekend, find something midweek to participate in.
• If away on a trip, find a church you can visit or stream your home church.
• Volunteer to help at VBS or a summer outreach. Actively seek out ways that you and your family can stay involved.

Make good use of your down time.

This is not strictly limited to summer, but it is when we often have a little more unstructured time.

• Play faith-based games on road trips, like Guess the Bible Character or Bible 20 Questions. (Our play Bible trivia in the 93.7 Light mobile app!)
• Have an informal, spiritual book club. Read a book on a spiritual topic together with a friend, your spouse, or your teen, and informally talk about it on a phone call or on a walk.
• Be intentional to include God in your day. God never forgets about us, but we certainly get so busy or involved that we let days go by without giving Him a thought. Write Bible verses with your kids in chalk, take dinnertime to ask your family or yourself, “How did you see God today?” Ask open-ended questions and share, yourself, what you are learning, and always use creation to point others to, or remind yourself of, the Creator.

With just a little bit of intentionality and grace, you can avoid a spiritual slump. Summer can actually be a time of spiritual growth and refreshment in your walk with Christ. So put on your flip-flops, but keep your heart rooted in Him.