Summer is just around the corner! Grilling, slip ‘n slides, backyard pool parties . . . all of the summer activities are about to commence. One of the things that many of us do in the summer is take a vacation or extended rest by ourselves, with our spouse or with our families.
And while there may be some who worship travel, leisure and comfort too much, there are also many of us who don’t obey God in taking times of rest. The fact is, both working too much and resting too much are both sins to avoid. So, let’s talk about work, rest & our summer vacations.
WE ARE GOOD AT WORKING
There’s one thing I know about many of us in the midwest: we are very good at working hard. When I first moved here to Kansas back in 2018, I heard from dozens of people when I asked them how things are going, “It’s super busy right now. But it’s just a season.” The problem is, when I asked the same question months later, the same busy people were still in the same busy season.
So is working a sin? Of course not! There are at least a dozen passages in Proverbs alone that commend hard work (Proverbs 12:24; 13:4; 14:23). A crazy busy season is understandable. But a crazy busy life can be a sin. In his book “Crazy Busy” by Kevin DeYoung he points out our downfall. “Because we can do so much, we do do so much. Our lives have no limits.” How can working too much be a sin?
WE AREN’T GOOD AT RESTING
While the Bible commends hard work, it also commands rest. In Exodus 20:8-11, the 5th commandment tells us to honor the Sabbath . . . the day of rest. Exodus 20 points back to the example God himself gave us in Genesis 2:2-3. God himself labored for 6 days in creating the world. On the 7th day, he rested. God does not have limitations that he would need rest. But we do. Resting simultaneously reminds us of our limited power and God’s limitless power.
SO, WHAT ABOUT SUMMER REST?
While taking a day each week to rest is not only commended but commanded, this idea of work and rest also translates to our annual summer vacations. Work hard for 6 days and rest for 1. Work hard for several months, and rest for a week. But even in our summer rest or summer vacations, we can honor God (I Cor. 10:31). How can we honor God with our rest or vacations this summer?
First, the tone of the adults becomes the tone of the kids. If the adults in the family don’t want to go, the kids will have a miserable time. Adults, ask God to give you a great attitude as you go vacation with your kids or other family members. If your household has a father in it, fathers can make or break the vacation. Men, lead out in having fun and creating moments of rest on your vacation.
Secondly, God can be seen in our everyday lives . . . even our vacations. If you go on a vacation, take moments to point out to others you are on vacation with how you see God that day. If you’re on a lake, talk about the beauty and refreshing nature of the water God made. If you’re on a roller coaster, talk about the creative and fun God we serve that gives creativity to people to build exciting roller coasters. If you’re on a staycation at home, get some ice cream and praise God for cows (especially the ones that produce chocolate ice cream)!
Lastly, make a plan. Nothing shows that you care more about this specific time of rest than caring about planning it. Sit down with your spouse. Sit down with your kids. Sit down with your budget and plan something that you can do together. What makes it memorable is not the location of your vacation, but the intentional planning that creates memories.
Whether it’s across the country, across the world, or just across town, take a break from your hard work and honor God with your rest this summer. Make memories with your family and point out God along the way.