Five Faith Guardrails for a Busy Summer
by Sarah Nolan
I am the oddball out when people find out that I thrive on a routine. I do the same thing week to week, and although there are slight differences due to scheduling or events, my life remains the same.
Sunday is for abiding, attending church, doing church-related things, and meal prep.
Monday is for work, abiding, and the gym.
Tuesday is abide, work, gym, and self-care night. Self-care doesn't necessarily mean face masks and baths; it's just a night during the week when I'm home alone and do whatever my soul needs. Sometimes, I read; sometimes, I write or work on projects; sometimes, I watch a movie; and sometimes, I hang out with friends.
Wednesday is dedicated again to abiding, work, the gym, and another night that I leave open to schedule different things, such as late work, events, or ministry meetings.
Thursday is abide, work, gym, worship rehearsal, and when I start doing the laundry.
Friday is when we do all our Sabbath prep, including cleaning, grocery shopping, errands, laundry, and date night.
Saturday is the best day of the week, the Sabbath! And this is where we rest; I have nothing scheduled for this day.
But what happens when seasons change and this routine is out of whack? If you can believe it, that does happen from time to time!
First, we have to remember to show ourselves grace. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27); He did not create us as robots. Sometimes, that means we need to shift, adjust, and create new rhythms.
We see this clearly in the book of Acts through Paul's ministry. Depending on the city and culture he was interacting with, he adjusted his approach. He didn't water down the Gospel by any means, but he partnered with God in his travels and approached each group in a way that would make the most sense to them.
We need to do that same thing — we need to approach this new season in a way that makes sense.
Guardrail 1: Start with God Daily.
Even if your mornings look a bit different during this season, start with Jesus. If you only have five minutes, that's okay. Take that time to turn your heart towards your Heavenly Father and see what He has for you each day. (Matthew 6:33)
Guardrail 2: Stay Rooted in the Word.
The Bible is the living, breathing Word of God, and we need it to guide us in every area of our lives. Consider listening to the Bible on your commute or doing devotionals on the Bible app to stay in the Word daily. (Psalm 109:105)
Guardrail 3: Prioritize Rest, Not Leisure.
A Sabbath is a command in Scripture. Regardless of the season of life, things only seem to get busier. Vacations and time away are great, but proper rest comes from abiding in Christ. (Matthew 11:28)
Guardrail 4: Stay in Community.
Don't let the business of your season keep you in isolation. Keep your Christ-centered relationships a priority in your life. If Jesus had a community of people, how much more do we need that? (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Guardrail 5: Live on Mission, Even in the Margin.
Business does not always mean you are far from the Lord. Invite God into your conversations, tasks, vacations, and family gatherings, and see what He asks you to do. And then, be obedient to what He says. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
When God is the priority, everything else will fall into place.
8 Arena's | What Does Scripture Say?
Join us this summer in our '8 Arenas' sermon series and reflect on the topics and influences we encounter in the world and what God's Word says about them. Each week, our Team Members will post the topic they are covering in their Campus Facebook Community Groups, or you can view our online resource below to click on each passage and read it online. https://newcitychurch.my.canva.site/8arenasreadings