It’s week 3 of our Joy to the Soul Summer series! Our first whisper from the summer told us things don’t always stay the same. Next, I shared how stillness is a posture of receiving. I hope you’ve had a chance to feel the gentleness of a morning breeze or watch a sunset and reflect.

But a unique aspect of summer is that the sun doesn’t set as low on the horizon. As a result, the sky is brighter now than other times of the year. The stars shine brightly against the dark canvas of the sky. And yet, whenever we gaze into the heavens, we can catch a glimpse of God’s glory.

“It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name!” (Amos 5:8 NLT)

Even as the Lord causes our mornings and evenings to appear, He also causes the clouds to form and bring rain. But summer rain is unique. In the downpour, the pavement steams as if to release heat hiding beneath the surface. In agriculture, a good soak of the ground results in a good crop in the fall. Summer’s sudden downpours bring revitalization.

What is suddenly appearing in your life this summer? New challenges are new opportunities for us to release what’s beneath the surface of our lives and grow.

Growth. It’s the whisper I hear this week. And yet, our emotions or events may feel like more than we can handle (maybe that’s just me). But Amos 5:8 describes God as the manager of all things. The Creator turns and draws upon the elements of the earth. The Lord is His name.

As we make our plans this summer, God’s plan is for us to know He manages more than the eye can see. Our perspective is essential to our growth. Whether we perceive it as a whisper or a shout, we can receive His plan for us as a promise.

“May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers” (Psalm 20:4-5 NLT).

REFLECTION OR DISCUSSION: What do you need God to turn, draw upon or pour into your life this summer? How will you trust Him in the process?

Meet me here each week for more “Joy to the Soul Summer” reflections. Invite your friends to join you! The discussion question at the end of each post may be used for a journal prompt or group discussion. 

Read more “Joy to the Soul Summer” posts here.