Why Vacation is *almost* Biblical

One of the things I appreciate about summer is how the pace of life and ministry changes. School goes on break. Community groups modify their schedule. Youth ministry has pool hangouts. And most people choose to take some time off work.

It's contrary to the culture we're in, but let's be clear that rest is good. (Laziness is not!)^[1] In creation, God modeled rest. At the beginning of Genesis 2, after the universe, the earth, and all that it contains had been made, Genesis 2:2-3 says,

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.³So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

God designed mankind to need rest.

Every night, our bodies demand that we sleep. More than 48 hours of no sleep typically results in hallucinations, delusions and an inability to think clearly. We must rest nightly, which is a daily reminder that we are created, not the Creator.

In similar fashion, God ordained for Israel to have a weekly Sabbath – a day of no work, but filled with rest and worship. Though there is no command to maintain the Sabbath in the New Testament, the principles to prioritize worship and to not work relentlessly are both present (e.g., Mark 2:27, Luke 12:15-34). We do well to take at least one day off each week, to rest and be refreshed, and to remind ourselves that God's design and kingdom is our priority.

Personally, I find that vacations are incredible times of rest and refreshment. Whether it's a staycation or an extended trip somewhere, taking a break from the regular routine and demands of life and work allows me to think, pray and rebuild zeal for the days ahead. I don't know of a biblical prescription or precedent for vacations, but I'm thankful that they're a part of our culture.

Best of all, rest is promised for us at the end of a faithful life. As Hebrews 4:9-10 says,

So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.

When your days are complete and your labors on earth have ceased, Christians can look forward to a future rest that will be more renewing than any amount of sleep or vacation can provide. Let's keep pressing forward now, as we await that glorious day!! And remember to rest—take a day off, guard times of worship, enjoy your vacation. Resting is an expression of dependent obedience, not a departure from it.