Lifting Our Eyes to What Matters Most: Finding Renewal and Perspective This Summer
There’s something about the ocean that quiets the noise inside me.
To kick off summer last year, our family stole away to Kiawah Island for a time of rest and renewal. We love the beach in May—when the days are warm, but the air still carries a breath of spring. The summer humidity hasn’t quite reached its peak, and everything feels just a little lighter.
We spent our days soaking up the sun, running in the rain, painting on the back porch, and splashing in the waves. One night, under the light of a full moon, we rode our bikes along the shoreline—moonlight dancing across the water, laughter echoing in the air.
We kept our eyes peeled for 300-pound loggerhead turtles, hopeful we might glimpse one making her slow journey to lay eggs at the dunes. Although we didn’t discover any, the hopeful anticipation brought us much joy as we pedaled along.
And somewhere in the quiet beauty of those days, I felt something shift.
The noise of our full lives faded just enough for my soul to breathe. With space to pause and listen, I noticed how hurried my heart had become.
Setting Our Minds on What Is Above
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” ~Colossians 3:1–2
This verse came to mind as I sat by the sea, watching the waves roll in and out like slow breathing. In the margin created by rest, my gaze lifted—first literally, to the sky and stars, and then spiritually, to the things of eternity.
It’s so easy in our daily lives to be pulled downward, tethered to tasks and to-do lists. But perspective begins with where we set our minds.
Our minds are meant to be lost in eternity, where our true citizenship lies. Even the dominion we exercise here on earth is to be stewarded in such a way that it points heavenward. Earthly things are not wrong in themselves—but when we seek them first, before Christ, we lose our way.
And what are the “things above”? All our ideas of heavenly realities can be gathered and focused on a person: Christ.
Paul emphasizes the positive—“you have been raised with Christ.” We can celebrate this resurrection truth by seeking Christ as we live within the weight of this world. We’ve been given grace to see earthly life through His eternal lens. This helps shape the direction of our lives. And as our perspective shifts, we find ourselves lifted on His currents not our own.
When we lift our gaze to Christ, He steadies our course, guiding us through every storm, every darkness, every unknown. We find renewal and perspective. We were never meant to navigate this life alone. His love was meant to be our compass, steadying us through every tide.
The Beauty of Seeing Clearly
During our time at Kiawah, the space and stillness gave me margin to truly reflect—not just on what I was doing, but on how I was living. Where I was headed.
In silence, I sat and listened to the waves. I watched my girls run along the shoreline, their laughter mingling with the ocean breeze. I found myself not just observing these moments, but being present in them. Not rushing to the next thing. No multitasking. Just soaking it in.
I slowly read through pages of a book I had been longing to savor. I didn’t feel pressure to check it off a list. Instead, I paused, pondered, and let the words sink in deeply.
And it made me wonder: how often in my everyday life do I rush past the beauty?
Our daily routines—though full of good things—can easily blur together. We move from one task to the next, one commitment to another, and in the flurry, we lose sight of what truly matters. We become so earth-focused—so wrapped up in the here and now—that we forget to lift our eyes.
But when we make space for reflection, we regain perspective.
We begin to see what God is doing in us and around us. We remember that this life is not all there is. That the unseen is eternal. That our small, faithful steps matter more than we can see right now.
Use This Summer to Reset
Maybe this summer, you don’t need a long trip to the coast (though I highly recommend it if you get the chance!). Maybe what you really need is just a little space.
Time to think. Time to reflect. And time to be still.
Even a simple walk, a journal, or a quiet corner with your Bible can become sacred spaces of renewal. These small pauses give you a “bird’s-eye view” of your life—just like standing at the water’s edge, watching the tide roll in and out.
May you use this summer to experience a quiet renewal—that God would lift your gaze, still your heart, and help you see your life through His eternal lens.
Let this season not only be a break from the usual, but a turning of the heart toward what lasts forever.
In His Word
Meditate on Matthew 6:20-21 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In Your Life
Spend some time in prayer lifting your eyes upward. Examine your heart to see what matters most to you. Ponder the following questions to gain renewal and perspective:
- What do I currently value?
- Where am I spending my time, my resources, my energy?
- What steps can I take today to lift my eyes onto what matters most?
We Recommend
The Summer Slowdown by Chris’s husband Tim Willard. An online workshop that includes three short slowdown teachings, accompanied by a hundred-page workbook that teaches the slowdown method: See. Slow. Participate. This course will inspire you to take a breath and revitalize your life.
Let’s Connect
For inspiration on tending to heart and home, follow Chris on Instagram. She also writes weekly devotionals through her Mend membership newsletter on Substack. When you subscribe, you will receive her free 7-day guide, Walk into Wonder, to help mend your soul through movement, marveling, and sacred presence.