"Do you need a vacation?" Devotional for July - Week One

It’s summertime and that means people from all around are hopping into planes, trains and automobiles to “get away from it all”. The wear and tear of everyday life gets to us, so we feel the need to find different, newer, more comfortable surroundings. We think that by leaving our workplace or home, we are leaving all of our problems behind as well... nope!

Unfortunately today for most families, bratty kids, nagging in-laws, gas prices, and seemingly endless long distance travel can all be part of the vacation equation. With all of this in mind, we see that even when we’re on “vacation” that it takes work to try and find rest and relaxation! Inevitably, we end up climbing out of one hole and falling into another.

You see, a vacation is merely a band-aid on the problem of stress. In fact, it’s probably one of the old, generic off-brand kind where the adhesive is partially worn off. This is because while travel may give us semblances of detachment and leisure, it also carries stresses of its own. Not to mention we still have the worries of home or work still fresh on our minds and waiting for us when we return. We can never truly "get away" from i.e. ignore our problems! Putting it off only makes it more difficult for us to deal with them effectively.

So what is it that we can do? Thankfully, as Christians, we can find solace in the Lord. For those times where the daily grind has made you weary and there appears to be no end in sight, withdraw yourself away from everything else and pray. I’m not just talking about saying grace, or delivering a prayer request, but actually spilling your heart out to God and having a conversation with Him for more than just a spare moment.

Philippians 4:6-7 says:

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus."

It is through our time spent with God where we find true rest and comfort. This is one reason why many faithful believers enjoy a church worship service so much… not for seeing people they know, or hearing a well-delivered sermon, but merely to dwell in the house of the Lord where God is present and ready to hear our burdens and grant us peace.

In Peter’s first letter to the early church, he says for us to: “Cast all anxiety on Him (the Lord) because He cares for you.”

Amen!

Fantastic! We need to be reminded of this each day we wake up!