Vacation from God?

Well, not that many people noticed, but I haven't blogged in a while with all the hecticness of life looming so large. You could say I was on "blog vacation". Then it hit me, don't we do this sometimes with God? Come on, you know what I'm talking about. Those times when it is easier just to relax and not do the hard work of the Christian life. Those awesome getaways where sin can run free and I get to do what I want for a week or two instead of listening to that pesky Holy Spirit who just won't let me have fun. The whirlwind excursions where I am too busy to hear myself think let alone hear the voice of God. They all can be called "God vacations" and there are many more scenarios just like them.

But, as with any vacation, these getaways come with a price tag. Sure, it may not be the thousands of dollars it costs to take the family to Disneyland or tour European destinations, but it costs each one of us dearly. It costs us in spiritual growth and maturity because we can not be progressing if we are taking time off. The book of Hebrews describes the pattern this way:
"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."

When we take a "God vacation" we are sacrificing the eternal promises for the immediate. We are giving our old ways a new foothold to take over and corrupt our lives. It is just like working all day in 95 degree heat shoveling dirt. By the end of the day you are drenched with sweat and covered in dirt. The best feeling in the world is to get a shower and some clean clothes. But when we vacation from God after our shower we put those dirty, smelly clothes right back on. So, enjoy a relaxing vacation this summer but don't vacation from God. You will feel much more refreshed and rejuvenated.