This summer, we’re embracing Jesus’ invitation to slow down—to live at the unforced rhythms of grace, become more attentive to the Holy Spirit, rest, worship, play, and connect.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more and move faster, Jesus offers a better way. Slow Down This Summer is an invitation to create space for what matters most and rediscover the joy of being with God and one another.

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

(Mark 2:23-28 NIV)