Am I taking a vacation from God?

I think it is safe to say that summer has finally arrived. The warm sunshine and cool breezes seem to call us to the outdoors. Barbecues and bonfires along with vacations to water parks and other recreational and relaxing destinations consume our time. As fantastic as these things are, ask yourself this question. Am I taking a vacation from God? It never ceases to amaze me how many people take a three-month or longer vacation from church over the summer months. This is doing major damage to both you and your church. Perhaps we take it for granted sometimes, but the minister of your particular church has answered a call of God and accepted the ominous task of rightly divining the word of truth and communicating it to you. Those sermons we sit and listen to on a Sunday are not coffee-fueled blatherings. They are opportunities for you and I to connect to God and hear something from him. Most of us desire to hear from God although there are many times we don?t like what he has to say, but the desire to hear from God is still there. When we miss church, we lose that chance. I know what you might be thinking. I can hear from God while I am out on the lake or immersed in nature. You might be right but chances are the motivation you had for your trip were not ones of spiritual exploration but rather resting and relaxing. We need rest and relaxation but to find true rest we must connect to Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us to come to him, all you who are tired and weighed down, and he will give us rest. Not just a physical rest but rest for our souls.

The detriment to your church goes even deeper than just your attendance. In Romans chapter 12 Paul writes that although we are one body there are many parts of that body and each of them have different functions. Romans 12 lists seven different gifts of the Spirit that are given. Prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy. Each of these gifts is vital to the health and well-being of a church. If you are absent, the body is missing that gift that God has given you. There are other gifts of the Spirit listed in the book of First Corinthians and again in 1 Peter. You play an important part in your church. You may not realize it but that warm smile or loving pat on the back or genuine handshake of friendship is important. God both wants to speak to you at church and use you for his purposes as well. Don?t take a vacation on him. Can you imagine if God decided he was going to take time off and get some much needed R and R? Understand the intent of this column today. Vacations are fine and needed. But, don?t forget that God wants to speak to you even during the summer months and one word from him can ultimately change your life and perspective. If you find yourself without a church to be a part of, we would love to have you come experience God with us. Our services are Sundays at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m..