Pastor's Corner

Most families I know try to work in even a short vacation sometime in the summer. People are so good about telling me where they have been or where they are going on vacation, especially if it involves missing a Sunday service (or two, or…). It's expected, and we should celebrate opportunities to change rhythms and routines for some R & R.

The word vacation literally means to take time off from vocation, or life's work. As disciples of Jesus Christ our life's work is not so much what we do to make a living, but a way of living. Following Christ is our vocation, or calling. It's called our "life's work" because it takes our whole life to do it! We really don't intend to take a break from loving God loving God with our lives, serving Christ as we serve others, or being Christian. So, what's a disciple to do (or refrain from doing) on vacation? The apostle, Paul, urges us to "work it out."

My friends in Canada talk about going on holiday." That's what they call vacation. The word holiday, of course, comes from the joining of the words holy and day. I want to live all of my days as holy days. One is not more holy than another, for God is all in all. Even so, I hope you are finding sacred places and making sacred spaces for R & R, that's reverence and reflection, on your summer holidays.

Maybe we could reimagine our vacations as a particular kind of holy days…days filled with rest, thanksgiving, family, joy, and awareness of life's blessings. And, maybe, the rest of our days could take on more of the characteristics of holy days. Then, we wouldn't have to work so hard to get away on vacation, because all of life would be received and lived more as vocation.

The fall approaches with rhythms of school startings, changing sports seasons, preparations for a productive 4^th quarter of business, and changes in weather. Vacation season is about over, but our calling, our vacation, is always in season.