Summer’s onset is a call to vibrancy, an invitation to come alive on the inside, to hear heaven’s heartbeat thrumming in our souls and witness the glory of God’s creation in the world around.

We’re invited to participate, to become filled with holy awe and to develop a larger perspective, deeper awareness and appreciation of all living things. Maybe then the concerns of this world will have less of a hold on us.

“And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith?” – Mathew 6:28-30 CEB

Vibrancy

Sleeper, awaken, for God’s gaze summons us to life, to vibrancy
and verdant greening of our soul’s soil as it abides in Christ like
a delicate tendril, somehow rooting itself in rock, ready to thrive

despite how fiercely cold winds blow and summer’s heat causes
it to droop and dissipate, while it waits for thirst to be quenched
and strength to rise from the sap still present in curled up leaves

that crisp and brown at the edges, barely alive, indisposed, yet
still have some semblance of vitality from stored up food and rain
and retain a clear memory of what enlivens and feeds them most

while chlorophyll rushes through the veins, flows freely, to make
them oxygenate, with tender, fresh leaves growing greenly, as the
plants of life and love bloom like perfumed flowers in our souls

as God intends them to, full and lush, sending out a signal to let
others know we have spent time in his presence and feasted long
at his table, because it’s our acts of love alone that will outlive us
© joylenton

You and I might feel more like a flagging, fading freesia sitting in shade than a vibrant, flaming fuchsia lit up by sun’s rays, but rooted by faith in Christ, we can shine brightly for Him and bloom where we are planted.

“The Spirit is the one who gives life! Human strength can do nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are from that life-giving Spirit.” John 6:63CEV

I’m currently more like a faded violet than anything else. At least that’s how my body feels! 😏 As summer breaks through on these shores, I am in need of a break from busyness, a time, or season perhaps, of rest and deeper soul abiding in Christ. Maybe you can relate?

Therefore, I will be resting my words here for a few weeks, while seeking to regain inner vitality and vibrancy and (hopefully) a degree of physical strength as well. God is calling me to relax my grip on writing things and also calling me to expand my vision in other ways.

I’m hoping to recover from the heavily fatigued state I am in, enjoy spending time with loved ones and explore new avenues of creativity. Experience teaches me there is always something to be gained from letting go our hold on daily activities and waiting patiently on God.

As inspiration and ability arise, I will be sharing snippets on my Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter. I’d love to connect with you in those places. I will also be sending out my summer newsletter to email subscribers. You can subscribe now to make sure you receive it. May God bless and keep you in His grace until we gather here again! 😊💜

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