Enjoying Your Summer Vacation With (Not From) God
Summer is upon us… and it’s got all the makings for some memorable family vacations, epic girls’ trips and well-deserved couples’ getaways. But before we embark on all this summer fun, it is important to know that we can enjoy our vacations with, not away from, God.
I know how much planning and preparation goes into having a memorable time on holiday. The allure of palm trees, white sandy beaches, clear oceans, and majestic mountains can often derail us from prioritizing our relationship with God. But we need to remember that God is not against us enjoying ourselves on holiday; He just wants to be a part of it! As a matter of fact, He encourages us to have fun and enjoy the fruits of our labor (see Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 9:7; and 1 Corinthians 10:31).
So, the real question isn’t “Where are we going for a getaway?” but “How do we stay connected with God during our memory-making while we’re there?”
I have some recommendations that may help:
1. Switch things around to work with your vacation schedule.
Things can understandably get chaotic on holiday, so it’s okay to switch the timing of your normal routine around. For example, enjoy your quiet times in the evenings if your mornings and afternoons are going to be spent swimming with dolphins, ziplining and restaurant hopping. If you’re a night owl, you might prefer to connect with God before or after lunch.
2. Simplify your time alone with God.
You may find yourself exhausted from market-hopping and enjoying cold margaritas in Mexico, or sunbathing and sightseeing in Santorini. Just know it’s ok to scale back a bit. For example, if you typically spend an hour every morning for quiet devotional time, simplify down to 30 minutes.
This is where technology comes in super handy. Our own Chase Oaks App is a great resource for Bible plans, sermons and articles; it can help you stay in the loop with other Chase Oakers who may also be on vacation while still prioritizing their time with God.
3. Take advantage of pockets of time.
Your vacation may consist of many mornings lounging by the pool or sitting on the balcony enjoying your coffee or breakfast. These are great times to seek out fellowship with God. Put on your favorite praise and worship songs, read a Bible verse /chapter or spend that time in prayer. These moments are most likely going to look different from day to day, so be on the lookout for what each day brings.Although vacations are wonderful interruptions to the regular rhythms of life, they can also be distractions from a consistent spiritual routine. So, enjoy planning a full evening of bad (or good) karaoke with your friends, or a whole day of embarrassing your kids in that ugly pineapple shirt you insisted on getting for a day of shopping.
The point is this: take your vacation with, not from, God, because He wants to be a part of your work AND your play.
To recap, here are a few of the most important items to add to your holiday packing list:
- Your Bible (physical, audio, and digital versions will all work)
- Sunscreen
- Cute outfits (ugly pineapple shirts not included)
- A willingness to make time for God
Our Father delights in every day we make the choice to fellowship with Him—whether that’s at home or away. Have a great summer everyone!