Not long ago, I read a quote that said, “Live a life that you don’t need a vacation from.” Great quote, right? I would love to be able to say that about my life. And in a lot of ways, I can. But not across the board.
Think about it.
You may love your job but have failing health.
You may love your family but live apart.
You may love your possessions/status but long for connection.
The truth is, sometimes and in certain circumstances, we all feel the need to escape.
I guess that’s why the concept of vacation is so popular. Think of the terms associated with going on vacation.
“get-away”
“escape”
“take a break.”
“time off”
The word vacation means a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation.
But vacation has an end.
Mine just ended. A few days ago, I returned home from a beautiful and restful vacation. As many of you know, Mark and I try to take time each year to visit my family’s cabin in the Upper Pennisula of Michigan. The breathtaking landscapes and the fluid schedule spent with those I love most offer time to refresh and regroup. I get filled up. I know this is a great gift. Visiting the magnificent U.P. always causes me to reflect on the Glorious God who created it all.
Here are some of my favorite photos from our time away.
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Will the rest and fresh air that I enjoyed on vacation for a brief time be enough to help me meet the challenges of my everyday life all the way up until my next vacation? Not even close.
You might say the same.
Life is hard. Parenting is hard. Adulting is hard. So much so, I believe we can get into the trap of “living our days” planning for the next vacation where we can “live it up.”
It’s sad but true.
Friends, it’s not vacation for which our hearts long, even though you might think it is.
It’s God for which we long. At the center of our being, we yearn for our Creator. We cannot satisfy this longing with anything else, not even on our dream vacation. He alone offers continual “pleasure, rest, and relaxation” that vacation promises for only a short while.
“So, Tammy, you’re trying to say a relationship with God is like an ongoing vacation?”
I’m saying He knows the deep desires and longings within you that you half-heartedly hope vacation will fill and He can fill them up to overflowing. And do you want to know the craziest part? He also longs for us.
I’m reminded of a quote by C.S. Lewis:
It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
This morning, now that the thrill of vacation is just a memory, I turned in my Bible to Psalm 27, and there I found words that moved me to utter joy. The truth behind these words is, in essence, “a life you don’t need a vacation from.”
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Even though life brings adversaries, and fears, and trouble, we can find our rest in His temple, where He hides us. He says He will be our stronghold. He said it. Not me.
Do you know what a stronghold is?
It’s a fortified (strengthened with defensive works) place where one is protected against attack. He is a shelter and He covers me. He allows me to enjoy His presence in His temple. I can’t imagine the beauty where He dwells. I’m sure it far exceeds the glimpse of glory I encountered in the U.P. The psalmist describes it as being so beautiful and wonderful I can’t help but sing and shout with joy.
Do yourself a favor and take some time to reflect on the words of this Psalm.
Read it.
Read it again.
Write down what ministers to your heart. Meditate on the truth and take it in. It will refresh your soul as no vacation could ever do.
My vacation is over for another year, but God’s love for me is eternal. I don’t need to wait another year to enjoy peace and rest. It’s found in His presence.
Don’t wait for vacation to find fleeting peace. Find eternal peace in the arms of God. He’s waiting.
