Summer in Michigan is something special. The lakes are calling, the camping gear is dusted off, and everyone’s planning their trip “up north.” It’s a season of freedom, adventure, and long, lazy days that seem to stretch on forever. But if you’re like many people, summer might also be the season when your spiritual life takes a backseat to vacation plans and weekend getaways.
Maybe you haven’t been to church in months. Maybe you used to have a faith that felt vibrant and real, but somewhere along the way it started feeling routine, distant, or even irrelevant. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and this summer might be exactly the right time to rediscover what you’ve been missing.
Finding God in the Great Outdoors
Here’s something beautiful: faith doesn’t only happen within four walls on Sunday mornings. Some of the most profound encounters with God happen when we’re surrounded by His creation. Whether you’re casting a line into one of Michigan’s pristine lakes, hiking through a state park or Metropark, or sitting around a campfire under a canopy of stars, these moments offer natural opportunities to reconnect with God, who created this beautiful world for us to enjoy.
For example, I recently sat on my back deck and watched a thunderstorm come in from the south. The low clouds were piled up high and swirling. I heard thunder in the distance and the light levels decreased. The power of the storm was on display as the wind started to kick up and my backyard trees swayed around. Finally, as big drops of rain started to spatter around me, it was time to go inside! But I came away amazed that God created such a world and controlled the power I was seeing around me. I contemplated this verse from the book of Job:
Job 37:14-16 – “Listen to this- stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?”
Many people find that nature has a way of stripping away the noise and complications of daily life, making space for the kind of authentic connection they’ve been longing for. Grab your Bible or Bible app to add a spiritual depth to these special moments. Here is a handy list of Bible passages that fit these moments:
Psalm 19:1-2
Psalm 104:10-16
Psalm 8:3-4
Psalm 95:4-5
Psalm 96:11-12
Job 12:7-10
Isaiah 55:10-12
Stay Connected to Community
As a Michigan-based church, we recognize the importance of taking advantage of summer months to be outside enjoying the warm weather and our beautiful state. In fact, we ramp things down at SG, especially in July, to create space for God to speak to us through the beauty of creation. But there are two big weekly rhythms that remain in force right through the summer. Do you know what they are?
The first rhythm is Student Nights on Wednesdays. We want our students to stay connected to God, each other and Shepherd’s Gate through summer vacation. Our team does a great job planning fun activities and trips for our students during this 
time! If you have a student in your home from 5th-12th grade, make sure they take advantage of this opportunity for fun, community and connection. You can learn more and get signed up for student events here.
I should add that our SG Kids program continues all summer for ages birth through 4th grade on Sunday mornings, and 5th & 6th grade students join us then too. We want children of ALL ages to stay connected to God ALL through the year!
The second rhythm is Weekly Worship Services. The rhythm of weekly worship is vital. In fact, we encourage everyone to stay connected weekly even while on vacation by tuning in live online or watching later on demand. This repeated rhythm of worship is so important for everyone’s spiritual health and growth! It’s a touchstone of faith, designed by God for our good and flourishing.
If you sometimes find yourself skipping church in the summer, I encourage you to commit to attending weekly. It’s a simple way to keep you and your family centered on Jesus.
My wife and I are in a season of life where we’re caring for both our children and our aging parents. Many Gen Xers are in a similar place—it’s a lot to juggle. But one thing we prioritize is the weekly rhythm of worship. It’s essential for every generation of our family. Sometimes we have to get creative—like watching church online—but we make it happen. Over the years, we’ve seen how this outward commitment to God has shaped our kids’ faith and kept us spiritually grounded through every season.
As summer unfolds with its promise of rest, adventure, and time spent with people you care about, consider whether this might be the season to rediscover or deepen your spiritual life. Whether it’s enhancing those outdoor adventures with a Biblical connection, or taking up the challenge of maintaining weekly worship, I am confident you will see the benefits and rewards of putting God first for you and for your family!
