Well, summer is over. What did you do for your vacation with family or just your spouse or with some friends? Disney? The beach? The mountains? Did you take any day trips? How about a recreational excursion? What planning went into your time away? What was the result of your vacation? Any take-aways?
Vacations can be a huge refreshment that can leave many wonderful memories, provide a break from your daily routine, and give some much needed rest. Interesting enough, sometimes when you return home, you need another week to just recoup from your vacation (Lol).
Question: When was the last time you took a spiritual vacation? No, I do not mean running away or taking a vacation from the Lord, but a planned set of days and location where you and/or family go to grow your relationship with Jesus Christ? Have you ever taken such a trip?
This sabbatical was so extremely helpful spiritually. My wife and I spent most of our mornings at home, on the front or back porch, reading, praying, studying, journaling, and listening. Some days I would travel to the lake, or a secluded mountain top, or a quiet stream and spend my time letting God teach me and whittle away at my heart.
Perhaps you could spend one day a quarter at a place like Fairhaven Ministries, Roan Mountain, TN, and give that whole day to just meeting with the Lord. Pack your lunch, take your books, and go hide away with the Lord. You, too, could find that lake, stream, mountain top or other secluded area.
Another great opportunity would be to attend Family Camp at a place like The Wilds in Brevard, NC. There you would have time to get alone with the Lord; time for just you and your spouse to study and pray together; and opportunities to meet together as a family. The preaching services, music, and workshops would draw you and your whole family closer to the Lord. And a side note, I promise you would not spend as much on this vacation as you would for the same amount time, motel, and meals as you would at Disney. And, your whole family will come home stronger in their walk with Christ than if they had spent a week at Disney. (By the way, I’m not hatin’ on Disney. Just sayin’. . .)
So, when you plan for your vacations and get-aways for the months ahead, how about planning some time to get alone with the Lord? You will never regret it.
Mark 1:35 – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Luke 6:12 – In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
From A Pastor's Heart 