You Are Already On Vacation

A spiritual reflection

(Author’s note: This article was originally written in January of 2014)

There comes a point in everybody’s life when one simply needs a vacation. Contrary to some foreign beliefs, vacations are an extremely healthy benefit to an individual’s life. In fact, vacations are a nice parachute from the daily grind. Vacationing provides much needed time to reflect, relax refresh and renew. Vacations, both earthly and spiritually, are an important aspect to a healthy lifestyle.

There are, in fact, two types of vacations; earthly and spiritual.

An earthly vacation is a time to reflect on our lives moving forward, relax from hard work and sacrifice, refresh our bodies and renew our courage for when we return. This early vacation is much different than a spiritual retreat.

How do we define an earthly vacation?

Humans who vacation are leaving a permanent home (my house in West Virginia) for a temporary one (the beach house in coastal North Carolina) with the idea that whatever they do along the way, they will someday return to their original home with a sense of renewal.

A spiritual vacation shares many similarities as an earthly one but provides a much deeper understanding of life for our return trip home. This may sound like we are taking a break from living with God but in fact the opposite is true. During this spiritual retreat we do many of the things we would during an earthly vacation. For instance, we self-reflect; have we obeyed God’s word, helped others and loved one another unconditionally? We fast for sacrifice. We engage in deep prayer for renewal and reflection. Finally, we participate in exalted worship with Christ for our refreshing.

Our relationship with Christ is much like a vacation but not one we are accustomed to. Of course, we ask ourselves how it is that we can be on vacation and be with Christ at the same time?

When you embark on a spiritual vacation, you are leaving your permanent home (heaven) for a temporary one (earth). During this period, you are free to do as you will (hence, free-will). However, you are still being judged on the actions you take. Much like an earthly vacation you are given permission to kick off the shoes and enjoy yourself. God promises that if we believe in Him, love Him and obey Him, then our vacation here on earth will be just that; a temporary stay until our eternal home is ready. Consider the following scriptures when taking that ever-important spiritual vacation.

Reflect: For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ( I Corinthians 13:12 )

Relax: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ( Matthew 11:28 )

Refresh: Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. ( Acts 2:19 )

Renew: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. ( Romans 12:2 )

Christ created us in His image to endure challenges and hardships. During his time, Jesus spent much time traveling to foreign lands and meeting new faces. You might say he was (spiritually and earthly) vacationing. The important thing to remember was His journeys were for a purpose; as should ours be.

Many of us so-called “workaholics” get caught up in the next move here on Earth. We do so because we care about our families and want the best for them. We understand that by caring for our families, we must provide them with food, water, shelter, security and love.

And we know that if life were perfect, none of us would need to work, even though Christ looked favorably at labor.

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” ( Proverbs 10:4 )

We must also remain steadfast “workaholics” for Jesus. We must find a common balance as to not allow our earthly work life to rule our spiritual one.

When we vacation, we must also dedicate our time to renewing our spirit.