Vacations

I am writing this sitting in a cottage beside a small interior lake just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am here with six friends of mine. We get together twice a year, once at the end of June and again the week before Thanksgiving. Each of these men are pastors from all around the Midwest. That means we not impressed by one another’s “minister stories!” We have been friends for over a decade and have similar experiences. We hang out, go to movies, unpack ministry experiences, go for boat rides, ride jet skis, play golf, eat, and talk. We actually talk a lot. It is an encouraging, healing, challenging time. And it is just plain fun. I look forward to these trips. Although it is not a vacation, it definitely carries some of those traits.

Why do we enjoy vacations and times away? Are they valid? Or have we become a bit lazy? I think a clear understanding of the importance of vacations and rest comes from the life of Abraham. It is found in Genesis 21:22-34. In this passage Abraham “complains” to King Abimelech concerning a well at a place called Beersheba. The well was in fact a place of refreshment and rest in that land of dust and scattered water supply. There are three lessons for me about a time of rest from this passage.

1. It was worth a confrontation. Abraham “complained” to Abimelech concerning this piece of ground. This was important to him. He thought it was important enough to risk a confrontation with Abimelech.

2. It was worth paying a price. Abraham paid Abimelech seven female lambs as a sign that a treaty had been signed, and the well at Beersheba belonged to him. Remember in that farming culture, livestock was currency. Female lambs were valuable; they could bear young. Abraham was willing to pay a high price for a time and place of refreshment.

3. It was worth expending energies and resources to improve it. In Abraham’s case he planted a Tamarisk tree. Now, in reality a Tamarisk tree was a shade tree. Abraham took the time to cultivate and plant a shade tree in the location he had confronted and bought. It was that important to him.

Lessons for us are clear. Where is our time of refreshment? Are we willing to confront or at least request it? It may be a regular day off or the normal vacation you are allotted but it is well worth the time. Risk it.

Are you willing to pay a fair price for this? That may mean that you give up something else to get this time. It could be some pay or some time at the office that is productive. The question is, are you willing to pay the price? And what is the limit of the price you are willing to pay?

The final question, are you willing to work to improve it? I had to make some plans and do some advance work in order to prepare for my time away. You may need to work on your schedule in order to fully get the benefit of a day away from the office, but are you willing?

We must spend time recharging our batteries. The bow that is always bent does not shoot the truest arrow. It must be relaxed between shots, or it is ineffective. When do you relax the bow?