I’m starting my vacation today. I’m so excited! I’ll be exploring new places, enjoying beloved family, and exiting my ministry at CrossLife while on vacation.
Oops, maybe that didn’t sound right, but it’s true. I’m excited to not be writing a blog, shepherding volunteers, teaching children, writing sermons and leading staff today, tomorrow and for a while.
It’s not that I am tired of those things. Not at all. I love them and it’s a privilege to be a pastor at CrossLife Church. God is good! I’ll actually miss the tasks, the people, the challenges, the joys, worshiping with my church family and meeting new people.
But I find that my passion for those things isn’t plugged into an infinite supply of Pastor Daron. I am a finite being. I am limited. I need sleep. I need time to eat and exercise. I sometimes need a nap on that sofa in my office LOL. I need the wisdom of CrossLife leaders. I need the help of volunteers. I need the partnership of staff.
Vacation is for people who realize this. We can’t do it all, and do it all the time. We shouldn’t do it all, and do it all the time. That is God’s job, folks.
Think of how many times God’s ancient people the Israelites, or Jesus’ disciples, needed to back off and trust God to do his job. I’m thinking right now about King David, who dreamed of building a temple for God, but God told him to back away from that idea. “You are not the one to build the temple” (1 Kings 8:19).
God had better plans. Bigger plans. It didn’t mean David was broken or naughty or it was an illegitimate mission. It meant David was limited in certain ways, that God wanted him to focus in other key areas, that others would contribute and lead, that David would take a vacation and the temple would still happen. It did.
Vacation gives me the time and place to practice a foundational tenet of faith. I’m not God. And CrossLife isn’t my church. It is Jesus’ church. He’s the boss around here. It may sound silly, but I need to let him lead this church way more often. I know, as if I’m giving him permission to take care of something that belongs to him. But it’s more like giving myself permission to take a break, unplug, refresh and come back with new wind in my sails.
Jesus is going to do a great job while I’m gone. He may have to start by cleaning up a few messes I’ve made. But I’m sure he’ll do more than mop up. He’ll move in new and better ways because I’m out of the way. I’ll return, by his grace and guidance, to find CrossLife in better shape than before.
And I’ll be in better shape, too. Again, I’m finite and limited. I can only offer so much of me, so I need to take care of me. For him. For you. For CrossLife. A temporary separation of time and space (a vacation) is a great way to do that.
I’m not burnt out. I’m not exhausted or frustrated. I’m not tired of ministry. Just the opposite. I want more. I can’t wait each day to see what Jesus is doing in his mission at CrossLife. I’m thrilled to be celebrating so many blessings, seeing people believe, serve, live and grow.
Taking a vacation from those things is a good way to return soon with renewed and refreshed vigor. It also offers variety for me to experience the blessings of God at another church, in my kids and grandkids I don’t get to see regularly, and while traveling to new places.
So, while I’m on vacation, I won’t be writing new CrossWords blogs. Enjoy your vacation from CrossWords for a while. It’s only temporary. Check into God’s other blessings for a while. Come back with new appreciation. I know that I will.
PRAYER: God, we all need a vacation from work, even blessed and beautiful work that isn’t a problem or a prison but a joy and passion. Thank you for summer rhythms, for vacations and travel, and for your ever-present care. Renew and refresh us! Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Stay tuned. Our CrossLife staff will be sending a few suggestions while I’m gone, connecting you to some Sunday series that will help you grow in faith.
