TAKING A BREAK FROM GOD
Such an idea should startle the mind of most Christians. I mean, how can any of us take a break from God? God, on one occasion, accused His people of robbing or stealing from Him (Malachi 3:8). I feel sure those individuals were, likewise, shocked at such an accusation. However, God does not make mistakes in words, deeds or actions. He answered the people that they were robbing Him in tithes and offerings. The thought, then, that one will take a break from God may startle but there is reason to find evidence that such is the case among some.
This break from God is called, “vacations”. All of us need a vacation to separate ourselves from the routine of everyday living. We get away from phones (cell phones, included), work and things being done around the house. We go by boat, plane or automobile and go some place to recharge our batteries. It can be a fun time with the family or simply a husband and wife taking time to renew their interest in each other. All of these types of things are good for both our physical and mental health as well. How then can such things, good in and of themselves, be taking a break from God?
When such trips are planned is not the need for worshipping God just as strong as it is when we arise each Sunday morning during the year? We spend time striving to teach about proper attitudes for worship. That which we are having to teach more and more now is that God is the proper object of worship (John 4:23-25). Worship that is geared to the sensual things of man and life on this earth betrays a wisdom that is not from above (James 3:15). Worship is our act of coming before God to honor Him by doing the right acts in the right ways. If worship is indeed directed toward God, why would I feel that because I get in a car and drive hours away, that my need to do that is no longer in force.
How many ways can we say it? Worship is not about me but about God. If 51 Sundays out of the year, I honor God, why would taking a vacation remove that desire from my heart? The sad evidence in the lives of some is that the 51 Sundays in which they come to a building, a house or some place their heart is not really in it (Matthew 15:8,9). Do such Christians really feel like they have earned the right to take a break? They are certainly entitled to a break if worship is about them. If worship is directed toward God, then such a break is neither desired nor anticipated. If we feel like we have been deprived when we do not get to worship then our hearts are going in the right direction.
There are times when scheduling, particularly as it relates to planes and or boats, may make it impossible to be able to worship. Such arrangements should be made only if there is no other alternative to when we are able to leave. What I am dealing with in this article is more of the trips in which we drive in our cars to given destinations. Such trips should always be planned from the view of finding a place where among God’s people we can be able to worship God. The planning of such may require us to make phone calls or check out the reputations of the congregations where we will be on Sunday. All of this speaks to the idea that we have no desire to take a break from God.
Often times, because of the hardness of the time, we allocate a certain amount of money to be able to make our trips. I am taught, through the Scriptures to plan my giving to the Lord (I Corinthians 16:1,2; II Corinthians 9:6,7). I give my money on the Lord’s day in order to have a part in the carrying out of the work of the Lord. Am I to think then that because I am taking a vacation, that my gift to God is not necessary? Our gift to God of our money takes place, 52 Sundays a year. While on vacation I can give a little extra to the work where I am visiting for a Sunday. My regular gift to God, in the amount I give each Sunday, should be left behind for the work of the Lord I am participating in. So then when I travel, I am still participating in the work here locally, even though I am not here physically.
Simply put brethren, we do not need to take any breaks from God. The encouragement from James is that if we draw nigh to God, He draws nigh to us (James 4:8). May we all draw near to God seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. I sure do not want God to take a break from looking after me, do you?