“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
– 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Have you ever felt like you were living for your next vacation? I remember once when Hannah and I were planning and anticipating a particular trip for a very long time. Unfortunately, we were also keeping a frazzled pace before we left, so when we finally arrived at our destination, we spent two or three days just trying to slow down and relax. At that point I realized that if I feel like I need a vacation all the time only to have one and still be uptight, something in my everyday life might need to change. Don’t get me wrong, vacations are great, but if you wake up every morning with the thought that you won’t be happy until the next time you get out of town, you might need to rethink what you’re doing from day-to-day! My sister once sent me a link to a skit from Saturday Night Live that featured Adam Sandler doing a commercial for a fictional company called Romano Tours. At first, Mr. Romano talked about all the great things there are to do in Italy, but then he started making statements like, “I want to warn you, if you’re sad at home, you’ll be sad in Italy, too,” or “If your marriage isn’t working at home, it’s not going to start working when you’re in Italy.” Then there was my favorite, “I can take you to the beach, but I can’t make you look good in a swimsuit.” Though comedically exaggerated, the point of the segment was poignant: vacations, while helpful, will not magically cure all your problems! Friend, you have everything you need available to you so you can live the life you want today! I say this with confidence because I believe that your best existence has nothing to do with income, position, or how much you have in savings, but rather with how rich you are in the things of God. Peace, rest, joy, tranquility, and love are not products of monetary wealth, yet they are the source of life’s richest blessings. If you are dealing with restlessness, anxiety, or fear, the cure is not more stuff, fancier vacations, or counting the days till retirement. The answer is Jesus. He is the giver of abundant life and purposefully spending time in His presence is the only way to find rest for your soul! |
Prayer
Jesus, I want my soul to find rest in your presence. May I partake of your abundant life so I’m not just living for my next vacation.
Reflection
Are you finding time in your life to rest and be refreshed in God’s presence? If not, what changes can you make to ensure that you aren’t just living for the next time you get out of town?
2 Responses
Blessings, im asking for prayers.My son is been evicted out of he’s owen mobile home, he paid lot rent.but the landlord don’t want him &he’s fam. Please they need to find someone to move the trailer asap.otherwise they will demolished.please need prayers we’re making calls to see but they over charging to move it.Lord have mercy upon all of us.thank you.hes name is Carlos Maldonado.my name haydee hill.
Hi Haydee! We are certainly agreeing in prayer that God will make a way for Carlos’ trailer to be moved and that everything will work out in excess of expectations, according to the might and power of Jesus! God loves you and so do we!