The week that he was gone I wondered how he was doing and I prayed that his time away would indeed be a time of renewal. Then, with some anticipation on my part, I approached him on the day of his return and asked excitedly, “How was it?” I could tell by the look on his face before he even spoke that things didn’t go well and in about sixty-seconds it had become clear that he did not enjoy himself and that he would never subject himself to that type of experience again. He cited the bug bites he had received (he even showed me a few) and how it rained many of the days as just some of the reasons that his oasis had turned into a remote wreck of a vacation. I really felt bad for him and in many ways I could identify with him. I too have been on my fair-share of vacations that I thought would be everything we were hoping for only to feel after about three days that home was looking pretty good.
It amazes me how we lure ourselves into this illusion that some experience, whether it be a vacation or something else is going to be just what we need. Sometimes I’m surprised that we don’t realize that we are setting ourselves up for great disappointment by just considering how much we are thinking “a week away” is going to do for us. If you listen to some folks they seem to think that their time away will resolve their relationship issues, make their job better, improve their health, and give them a fantastic new perspective on how to live life. If that isn’t a set-up I don’t know what is….
I think we would all do better if we would just hear the beautiful voice of God who tells us where real contentment and joy can be found, whether we are at home, on vacation, away on business, or in a hospital. I encourage you to curl up with the words of the Psalmist below who has come to value God and His word more than all things. Ask God to help you set aside all of your notions about God that perhaps are in the way of you seeing Him for who He truly is and then open your heart fully to Him. I believe you will find what the Psalmist found in Psalm 119:
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.[b]8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules[c] of your mouth. 4 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 6
For His glory,
P.S.
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