Something sacred happens as the calendar shifts into summertime. The schedules loosen, the school year comes to a close, and even church programs switch to a slower pace. It feels like the whole world breathes in deeply and exhales in a united chorus of “We made it!”

For me, summer brings back memories of campfires, pool days, sunburns, sleeping in cabins, staying up late, and laughing with cabinmates far past our “lights out” hour. Summer reminds me what it feels like to be young, free, and fully present. If we allow it, it’s a season that beautifully reminds us that life is not meant to be lived at a constant sprint.

In a culture that celebrates busyness, summer offers us something fresh: permission to slow down. For my fellow Type-A personalities, taking time for rest can feel lazy or unproductive. We even carry guilt if we’re not achieving or checking things off our list. That’s why we need psalms like Psalm 23 to remind us that rest is not weakness, it’s a spiritual discipline. In its purest form, it’s an act of trust that reminds us that God is in control, even when we stop moving for a moment.

Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV) says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” God, our shepherd, does not only meet us in busy schedules and stressful seasons. He also meets us in quiet places. In stillness. In green pastures. In the sound of birds in the morning, in the warmth of the sun, in a walk through the woods, in a porch swing at the end of the day.

Nature has a way of reminding us of who God is. Creation slows us down enough to notice Him again. Summer invites us to breathe deeply and rediscover the childlike wonder we often lose along the way.

Maybe this summer, God is not asking you to do more. Maybe He is asking you to rest. To be still. To put your phone down for a little while. To sit by the water. To laugh with friends around a campfire. To remember that joy is holy too.

Summer doesn’t last forever. Before we know it, the pace will pick back up. Before it does, take the invitation God is offering you in this season to slow down, breathe deeply, and let Him refresh your soul. 

Dig Deeper

This week, set aside 30 minutes to be alone with God outside. Leave your phone behind. Sit by the water, walk through a park, or rest under a tree. Read Psalm 23 slowly and ask God to show you where your soul needs rest and renewal.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for leading us beside quiet waters and being Someone who restores our souls. In the middle of busy schedules and noisy lives, help us slow down and make space for You. Teach us to rest without guilt, to notice Your presence in creation, and to rediscover joy, wonder, and peace. Refresh our hearts this summer and draw us closer to You in the stillness. Amen.

Daily Readings

Flower illustration by Lan Truong. Bible verse illustration by Lively Scout. This article was originally titled “Slow Down and Rest” in the Summer 2026 issue of Peer Magazine.