Don't Take Vacation from God this Summer!

I was reflecting today upon the fact that a lot of people take a vacation from God and Church during the summer, and so I want to give you this hearty challenge: Don’t do it!

Now don’t misunderstand what I’m saying here. Vacations, holidays and summer camping with the family are all good, important and valuable things to do. But don’t take the whole summer off from church attendance, worship, prayer and Bible reading!

The Bible says: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25, NLT). In other words, God commands us to meet together, so we can encourage and bless one another!

And so, I want to share with you a portion of this short little article from The Gospel Coalition. May it challenge you today:

Be Faithful to Your Church this Summer:

Written by: Pure Church by Thabiti Anyabwile

Summertime features a lot of family vacations, travel, slowing of routines, and laziness. Mention the word summer and most people begin to imagine the beach, cool drinks, and anything but the “normal” routine. All too often, Christians imagine “breaks” from their churches and spiritual devotions. They travel and vacate and they take a holiday from Jesus. Somehow we manage to rationalize by saying, “I’m on vacation,” as if Jesus isn’t Lord while we’re “on vacation,” as if Jesus didn’t afford us the vacation, as if He can’t return while we’re on vacation. I’ve even seen this attitude happen at religious holidays like Christmas and Easter!

So, this morning, I thought an exhortation from John Piper’s letter to Bethlehem was appropriate reminder of what to keep first during all the busyness and vacating that most of us will do this summer. It’s the concluding paragraph from a letter updating the congregation on succession and other plans being prayed for at Bethlehem.

Here is my request to you all as I am away for the next several weeks on writing leave and then vacation. Be faithful to your church. If this is your church love her. Support her with your prayers and your giving… People come and go during summer. That’s good. God loves to see his people getting the rest and recreation they need. But don’t go on vacation from Jesus and his people. Keep worshiping wherever you are, keep giving, keep praying, keep loving. God has amazing things in mind for us as we enter this next chapter together.

It’s good to take vacations and rest. The Lord gives His saints rest. But our souls find rest in God alone. We mustn’t forget that because it’s summer and we’re “on vacation.”

See you in church?