Vacationing provides a time to get away and relax, have fun, and perhaps strengthen relationships with a spouse, family, or friends. We can benefit from a change of pace and environment. Even God took a break from His labor when He created the world (Gen. 2:2).
On Vacation? Remember These 4 Truths When Vacationing
While we can benefit from taking a vacation, we must remember the following:
- Our walk with God never takes a vacation so maintain time with Him.
God doesn’t take a break from us. He wants us to enjoy life with Him wherever we are and in whatever we do. Neither does our enemy wait for our vacation to end. — “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)
- Our lives always teach so maintain integrity and patience in all you do.
Travel headaches, waiting in lines, mounting costs, and other common vacationing stresses can wear on our patience. We might be tempted to lose our temper or justify lying, cheating, or shortcuts. Those with whom we vacation are watching and learning. — “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)
- Our church goes on without us so maintain giving and prayer support.
Giving should be planned and regular. Paul exhorted the Corinthian church to “set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up” (1 Cor. 16:2). When vacationing, give extra the week before you leave or the week after you return. Or, send your church a check or use an online giving platform if your church has one. Also remember to pray for those continuing on while you are gone. “Always” in Ephesians 6:18 suggests we should be praying for our fellow believers even while on vacation — “be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
- Our opportunities to be a witness expand so maintain an outward focus.
Some people use vacation time to take missions trips so the opportunities are obvious. Taking a fun-filled vacation still provides opportunities to reach out to others if you keep your eyes open. — “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:5-6)
Bottom Line: Enjoying a vacation doesn’t mean we set aside our walk with God. We’re Christ-followers 24-7 no matter where we are or what we’re doing … whether working, serving, or just relaxing.