At this time of the year so many people are on holiday! And why not - what’s not to like about that? You work hard all year and look forward to a break with your nearest and dearest.
What type to choose though? So many different types of breaks to enjoy depending on your personality. Perhaps you like a city break? Or you love being by the beach? Camping and the great outdoors can be great fun. Adventurous and action packed or lying by the pool reading? It’s up to you!
Yet here is a thought; after spending all that time planning and money getting there - it all seems over so quickly and we have to ask what lasting benefit did we really get? Renewed vigour for a short time but will it last?
Isaiah 40 v30-31 tells us:
“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Renewed strength - found as we wait on The Lord. Perhaps you never knew that till today? When our strength fails - Gods never does!
One modern dictionary gives this meaning for the word “holiday”: A period of time spent away from home for recreation.
I looked up an old dictionary from 1828 and it put it like this: A day set apart commemorating some important event in history, particularly devoted to religious solemnities. What an interesting difference in less than 200 years!
Imagine the difference in your life if you spent one day like this- taking a day out of your busy schedule to contemplate a religious important historical event!
My mind immediately looks back through the corridors of time to Calvary. The Lord Jesus Christ with His birth, life, death and resurrection. The greatest event in human history without a doubt!
I can assure you that if we spent some of our precious downtime considering the things of God the benefits would be immeasurable and lasting! More in fact than just physical rest - soul rest .
Matthew 11 v 29 states:
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Where to go?: “Come unto me”.
Need rest, tired and exhausted?: “and I will give you rest”.
A change not just of location for a few weeks - a change of heart that will last you a lifetime and go on into eternity.
Much love and blessings to all in this holiday season - may today be for you more than a holiday but a Holyday.
God bless
Pastor John