Vacation always reveals epiphanies. Living intentionality in the moment can be a challenge at anytime, and vacation can turn into a time of work if you aren’t intentional about making it a time of rest. But then I think about the adage of the fact that some people enjoy their work, and when you watch them work you may think they are playing or on vacation.

Vacation is supposed to revive you, and this year’s vacation did that for me. My life’s work right now as you know is cleaning houses, but it’s so much more than that. Some of what I do during vacation is done during work, and the common denominator is spiritual formation as I journey as a Christian through life. Vacation is not a vacation from my spiritual formation. Faith in Jesus Christ is active when we are on the clock or when we are resting on the beach. As I sat on the beach this year the lyrics to a song came to mind.

Have you ever stood at the ocean with the white foam at your feet? Felt the endless thundering motion? Then I say you’ve seen Jesus my LORD.

Christians are not immune to the distractions that distract unbelievers from productivity. We know that as “producing fruit” because those of us who follow Jesus want to remain connected to the vine to produce fruit. That fruit is not just sharing the Gospel with unbelievers. It’s also growing in our spiritual formation. Formation can be a holding pattern like an airplane waiting to land. They are going anywhere because they are waiting for their final destination. There are seasons when I’m kind of like that airplane. Fear, anxiety, notably depression, conflict, assault from angels who follow Satan and mis-directed focus can all be factors that lead me down the wrong roads or cause me to land on the wrong runway. Broad is the way that leads to destruction, but narrow is the way that leads unto righteousness. And righteousness is God’s declaration that I am right-standing because of my faith in His power. All things begin and end in Jesus. Were it not for his willingness to live fully human for 33 years, suffer, die and be resurrected on the third day all this would be for naught. That’s why every moment matters. It’s not because we are smart, rich or powerful enough to control our destinies because that is the lie that began our struggle with sin. The good we know to do we do not do. That’s not just Pauline semantics. That mankind’s struggle everyday. Answers are found in Jesus Christ, and even though God’s name may not be dropped that doesn’t mean He’s not completely behind the answers. Read Esther. Contemporary Christian Music may just be a Taylor Swift song. God is too vast and powerful to be limited to “Christian” stuff.

When I stood at the ocean (Gulf of Mexico) with the white foam at my feet I did not hear God’s name audibly, but I assure you I enjoyed His presence.

I want to close with one of the most powerful verses you’ll ever memorize. Don’t use it to give you a license to be hateful.

If God is for us who can be against us?

God is for you dear one. He always has been. He always will be. I don’t know what you’re up against, but He does. And He will lead you victoriously through whatever it is. Trust Him.