Going to the beach used to be a regular source of joy for my family when my children were younger.  We would search for seashells, set up a tent (and pray that the wind did not take it away), play, rest, and fill buckets with sand and water – over and over.  It was amazing to see what the kids could imagine as they built (or dug) in the sand.  Those buckets were used well.

Summer is still a great time to fill the bucket – your heart.

Many things happen during the year that drain us.  Many things cause us to change our focus.  Many things sidetrack us from our relationship with and service for God.  Therefore, we desperately need to take some time (and summer is a great time to do it) to rest, reflect, and fill up our buckets.

Jesus made that clear for us.  He not only took time to rest, but He also directed His followers to do the same.  He knew that since life can drain us, we must purposefully ensure that our hearts remain focused.  He even said (in Luke 6:45), “A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart.  An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”  If my heart is empty (meaning I am not focused on Him), I will not be effective in serving Him, and I will be facing the turmoil of life in my own strength.  I need a heart that is filled.

Think about it like a child who is trying to carry a bucket of water.  They may fill the bucket to the rim, but when they reach their destination, the bucket will be missing a lot of water.  Each step will cause a slosh.  Each moment of looking away will cause a slosh.  Tired hands and arms will cause a slosh.  And by the time they reach the destination, the bucket will no longer be filled.

That is how life – and your heart are.  Each day causes a little more to slosh out.  Each trial, each temptation, each decision to sin – they all cause our spirituality to slosh out.

And, yes, I know that if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives in you.  But I also know that each struggle and sin causes us to ignore and block Him.  It is a spiritual sloshing that does not have to empty us completely.  We must let Him fill us up.

What is your plan to fill the bucket this summer?  Though many of us will still be punching the clock, we also will have some precious downtime that we can use.  Whatever downtime (or vacation time) you have, use it to rest, reflect, and fill your bucket.

The following book is full of devotions for the summer. Consider checking it out (by clicking the picture below).