“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll
recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch
how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on
you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

I like these words from Lori Thomason: Summer is just around the corner. Families are
making plans for that much needed vacation from school, work and routine life. Beaches,
mountains, farms and family await those who understand that importance of stepping out of
routine to rest. Monday through Friday are days of work whether it be a job, school or just life.
Saturdays often become chore days as we struggle to keep up the house and yard while
running errands and hauling kids to every sport or activity imaginable making it hardly a day of
rest. Then there is Sunday which to a Christian also includes heading to the local House of
Worship… God created the Sabbath as a designated day of rest for His People. This would
indicate that our Father thought it important enough to incorporate in to each week.
Unfortunately, people have decided to cram pack Monday through Sunday to the hilt and run
themselves ragged in the process. But alas, summer has come – the season of rest and
restoration.

During the summer months when life seems to slow down with school out and offices sparse
with many people taking time off, churches notoriously experience their lowest attendance.
Why is that? People in pursuit of rest decide they need a break from God. That is almost like
wanting something to eat but leaving the kitchen and going to the living room to look for it. If
your method and mode of serving God in His House has become work, then maybe you are
doing it all wrong. Jesus said, “Burned out on religion?” It happens when the practice of
religion overtakes the experience of the relationship! Our relationship with Jesus Christ is the
reason we live! Everything including rest is found in Jesus! Serving God is an amazing lifelong
commitment that provides the rest for our soul that we desperately need. It is when we jam
pack our life with earthly activities and forget to walk, commune, communicate, love and
worship with Jesus that we become overwrought and burned out. (But) going on vacation
should create a longing to return to join in the fellowship of other Believers to worship and
welcome the Presence of God.

Wherever you choose to vacation this year whether a faraway destination or the new
“staycation”, don’t leave the Presence of God to do so! It is in the shelter of the Most High
that you will find the rest that will carry you vibrantly through life! Take Jesus Christ on
vacation with you this year! Better yet take Him everywhere you go everyday of your life!
Incorporate Jesus in every activity that is ever attempted! You will never be the same! He
alone is rest for the weary!  Your life may never slow down but your Spirit will be on an eternal
vacation!

In His Service, Jim

Scripture Spotlight “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you
how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” Matthew
11:28,29