“On Vacation in Arizona”
Vacation is what we often call these times of escape where we travel away from home and see the world. I am not sure I like the name “vacation.” It sounds like we are more interested in what we are leaving (VACATING) then where we are going. Often in the old world they referred to the same times as holidays. I like that better. The realization was that times “away” could actually be seen as “holy-days,” an opportunity to understand that which was near.
Vacations should be fun, but they should also be focused. Focused on seeing the big picture of what you are doing the rest of the time. I must admit that I like taking time away during the winter. I enjoy escaping some of the bad weather, but I also like refocusing just prior to Easter and all the wonders of a new season of growth. Hopefully the growth will be more than just physical.
Key to great pictures stand with a good looking woman and a great background.
I think a person can take short holidays: a cup of coffee by the fireplace, rubbing a puppy’s tummy, watching children play during recess at a school, or maybe just stopping to see a hawk fly over a meadow. Any of these events can slow a person down long enough to hear God for just a moment. Hearing God makes any moment holy. I like reading a psalm best to hear God, because you can’t just do it without reflecting. Psalms are best when they percolate.
Try out Psalm 11:
1 In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul,
“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
2 For look! The wicked bend their bow,
They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?
4 The Lord is in His holy temple,
The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
5 The Lord tests the righteous,
But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
Fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous,
He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.
The writer sees the profound difference between running from your problem and running to the Lord. “Flee to the hills” and they may just hunt you down with a bow, but the Lord is in his holy temple. I agree with sage strongly, that instead of escaping the world for comfort a person should look for God. May you find Him and may He find you.
Gobbler Comin' 