A View from the Fields, June 2004

05.29.2004

It’s here! Summertime! Summertime! Summertime! That time of refreshment, recreation and renewal is upon us. Many of us will be “vacating” Denver during the summer. (I certainly will be one in that number!)

Now let’s reason together about vacation. I can either make you feel real guilty about missing church because of your vacation or I can encourage you to see vacation as a gift of God’s grace and enjoy it, praising Him for it. Which one will I choose? I am a Baptist and I am good at guilt! I’ve been to seminary! But I just don’t have it in me. Besides, Carl Sperry gave me $20.00 to not make him feel more guilty than he already does! Ha! So, here is what I want you to hear: See everyday as a gift of God’s grace.

See the experiences you will have this summer as gifts of God’s grace. God loves you and He wants you to enjoy life and that includes vacation time which may take you out of regular worship services. Remember, in John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief has come to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and have it to the fill.”

Remember James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights…” Vacation is a gift! Enjoy it!

Now, if you are so filled with guilt that you just can’t enjoy vacation (which includes being away from church), I have a solution. You can double-tithe! Ha! That sure would help us catch up on the budget! Ha! I am double-dog sure it will help assuage your guilt! Ha!

I have written a lot of silliness, but Jesus said, “If the son sets you free you are free indeed.” (John 8:36). Some of us Baptists have a hard time enjoying the freedom and forgiveness that we have by virtue of Jesus’ death on the cross for us. Life should be fun and there should be the laughter of the redeemed that is not hollow like the laughter of the world.

Try to enjoy each day. See it as a gift. That includes vacation. Now go and enjoy your vacation. I give you permission.

See you on the Lord’s Day,

Jim

Posted by at 07:41 PM