Today’s scripture: Hebrews 4:1-12 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
This last week my family and I had the privilege of spending a few days away for a short vacation. We went to the beach, museums, parks, and just hung out in our hotel room. It was awesome! It was just the rest we needed after a very busy spring and summer. After all, isn’t that what vacation is supposed to be about — rest and relaxation?
But most of us only get that kind of rest a week or two out of the year. What if we could live our lives in a type of perpetual vacation mode? What would it be like for us? If you’re picturing Bermuda shorts, margaritas, sunblock, and sand, then we should definitely vacation together; but that isn’t exactly what I’m talking about in terms of vacation mode.
What I mean is this: over and over again in the scriptures God calls us to a type of living that is inconsistent with the rat race of life. It is a life of peace and rest. It is a life that is lived in the same attitude that we typically reserve only for our yearly vacations: an attitude of calm, peace, flexibility, joy, and living fully in the moment.
Our scripture reading for today speaks about both our final rest wherein we arrive in the presence of God after this life has passed, but it also speaks about the daily renewal of the promise for rest. God’s purpose for us, it seems, is to experience rest/peace in this life and in the next. So, why do we wait for only one or two weeks a year to live like children of God? What might happen if we embrace the “vacation attitude” everyday of our lives? Who might we become?
Let’s not miss the opportunity to live this way. Hebrews 4 points out that this is precisely the mistake the Israelites made, wandering aimlessly in the desert. But you and I don’t have to. Let’s stop living like we are in the desert, stressed to the max. Instead, let’s recognize that the oasis God offers is not a mirage. It is real.
Thought for the day: Take a permanent vacation from the desert life and experience God’s amazing rest.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.