Trinity Lutheran Church - Town of Wilson

Vacation with Jesus

Posted by on 24 June 2010 | 0 Comments

As I put this article together, it will not be long until our family will be headed north for some time together – a “Jabs Family Vacation.”  You know, that word – vacation -- is kind of a funny word.  I wonder whether those who defined words for dictionaries knew what they were doing.  In Webster’s College Dictionary, vacation is defined as

1.      a period of suspension of regular work, study or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation or travel;

2.      freedom or release from duty, business, or activity;

3.      an act or instance of vacating; and

4.      to take or have a vacation.

In a sense that was true of our “Jabs Family Vacation” – we got away from the regular routines – we went north!  But getting ready for the trip, getting everyone here and back home, and then the catching up after our return can hardly be called total freedom or rest.

So is it good to get away on vacation?  Yes, it is good to get away, but it is also good to get back.  In fact, all of us have a need to get away from it all.  Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Scripture tells us that more than once Jesus departed – that “He went on a mountainside and sat down” (Matthew 15:29).  He even encouraged His disciples: “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).

Jesus and His disciples needed to get away from worldly associations in order to have time to pray (Matthew 14:23) and a time for the disciples to get some “individualized education from Jesus” (Matthew 13:36).  That is a little different definition than what the dictionaries provide, but yet it gives an essential part of every vacation – a time away from worldly associations to pray, to be instructed by Jesus.  This is not only true of vacations, but also of our day to day life – we need time away with Jesus.

Traditionally, August is a big month for vacations, for that time away.   Your Precious Gem is that in your day to day life and also during your vacation, do not forget about your time away to pray and be instructed by Jesus.  Do not forget about regular worship attendance.

Why?  Because worship, just like staying at home on Sunday morning and sleeping in, is a habit.  Both habits can be broken, unless they are firmly ingrained in your life pattern.  Once you find reason (legitimate or otherwise) to miss worship on two or more consecutive Sundays, the third and fourth absences become about as easy as sleeping in …

Worship – that time away with the Lord – is the most important and significant activity of the church.  Nothing else is more important than the weekly gathering of God’s faithful people for praising God, praying, and receiving God’s guidance.

Take a vacation – time away with Jesus, to pray, to be instructed by Him. As you do, you will be blessed.

In Christ’s service,

Pastor Jabs