Delores Liesner
Activating Faith in everyday life
On Vacation?
6 and –one-half days until I take off for a little vacation and sunnier weather. I can hardly wait. Preparations 
escalate daily, as I research, find coupons, exercise and adapt diet to try to lose a few pounds before we go.
Isn’t it interesting, I think, how I wake up with increased motivation to plan for an event that will last less than a week.
And how does that compare to daily motivation to be allowed to wake again, to spend another day walking with the Lord? Why is it that I so often awake with a list on my mind of all the things I want to do or must do, and too often flounder and trudge along between valleys, molehills, and peaks, waiting and watching for the next vacation?
These thoughts came together as I read 1Kings 18:27 in the Message where Elijah was mocking the false gods:
By noon, Elijah had started making fun of them, taunting, “Call a little louder—he is a god, after all. Maybe he’s off meditating somewhere or other, or maybe he’s gotten involved in a project, or maybe he’s on vacation.
The gods were not visible. No action or motivation was stirring them…to the point where Elijah joked that maybe they were on vacation. Missing in action.
But it is no joke, is it, for we know God never goes on vacation from us. Yet, how many times, days, do I get so ‘busy’ I leave the Lord waiting for a conversation?
It’s like saying I’ll take a vacation and skip my vitamins, or my food, or my water… necessary things for the body to keep going. And the body reacts – for some, quickly, but for me it is subtle. I have gone 3 days or more forgetting to eat. Some days I forget to drink water until I swoon in the evening. I ran around like I was getting away with something, until I crashed.
It’s like talking to my beloved a couple times a week, and then rushing past, on my way to all my important 
things. How hurt would I feel if he treated me that way? There’s a vacation all right…
If Elijah were watching he’d say my brain was on vacation!
I’m concerned about God’s temple, my body, yes, but not at the expense of my relationship with Him. Timothy gives me the answer – 1Tim. 4:7 – Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please!
This upcoming “vacation” I’m reminded, is in reality more than physical – it’s a change of location for my same vocation (sharing the gospel), and I need to be prepared.
Do I anticipate a spiritual vacation? Yes, especially so when I’ve “packed” for the occasion!
So what should I pack (in the temple and in the suitcase? What should I leave home? I think I’ll go have a chat with the God who never goes on vacation and find out!
Have you ever felt like your mind was AWOL because you’ve been focusing on something that has not yet happened? What do you think is important to pack for a spiritual vacation?
2 Comments on “On Vacation?”
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Be the Miracle! – with journaling pages
Delores Liesner: Author
American Christian Fiction Writers Association
Delores Liesner 
I saw Valley of Vision in the photo… one of my favorites. I do have a hard time realizing how something written so long ago can speak to me daily. I hope you have a great time….
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Lyndie, I agree. Valley of Vision is a staple for me too. I just read a book called Congo Dawn and the missionary characters (national and not) reminded me of Valley of Vision as their faith and prayer life were so childlike, simple, uncluttered yet deep and drawing.
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