The civil year · Summer · June through August
Green pastures are for lying down in.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures” (Ps 23:2). Sometimes the Shepherd has to make us, because we’ve forgotten how.
You finally took the vacation. You also took the laptop, the to-do list, and a low hum of guilt. By day three you’ve reorganized the rental’s kitchen and planned tomorrow down to the hour. Rest feels like one more thing to get good at. If summer leaves you more tired than June found you, this page is for you.
What’s true hereWork is good. God made us to tend his world, and he called his own work good. Even he rested on the seventh day (Gen 2:2–3).
Fellow travelers
We aren’t the first to walk this way.
- Jesus’ disciples came back from a busy mission with no time even to eat. Jesus said, “Come with me… to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).
- The Pharisees turned the Sabbath into one more job to do well. Jesus reminded them the Sabbath was made for people (Mark 2:27).
- Jesus himself slept on a cushion in the stern of a boat in the middle of a storm, at ease in his Father’s care (Mark 4:38).
The Shepherd who makes you lie down is the same One who stays awake all night (Ps 121:4).
Where the Shepherd meets us
The destination of every season is the same: God himself.
- “In vain you rise early and stay up late,” the psalm says, because he grants sleep to those he loves (Ps 127:2).
- Jesus offers rest to the weary and a yoke that is easy, because we carry it with him (Matt 11:28–30).
- Look at the wildflowers. They don’t labor or spin, and God clothes them anyway (Matt 6:28–29).
Pick one summer afternoon with nothing on the calendar. Find some actual grass. Lie down in it for twenty minutes with no phone, and pray Psalm 23 slowly. If you fall asleep, count it as prayer. More on Rest.
Keep walking
- Us with God and Rest
- Us with God and Time
- Us with God and Creation
- The Calendarthe whole year at a glance