Remember that song by The Go-Go’s? Vacation all I ever wanted, vacation had to get away… Well, that’s what we’re planning. Yep. Selling seashells by the seashore, well, not really but you know what I mean. We’re planning a respite, a rest time, a break, a little peace. I bet a lot of folks are doing that this time of year.
Planning a getaway gives me a little heartburn. You see, I’m a very structured person. I’m sure you never would have guessed, I do hide it well, right? In case you didn’t know, I’m slightly ADHD, (yes, I have the papers to prove it), but only slightly. My mind is constantly moving at this frenetic pace, and in order to keep up with it, or manage it, I need structure. Most folks love vacations because they are anything but structure. A break from the grind. A time to do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want. No alarm clocks, no bedtimes. A time to see new sights, hear new sounds, do new things. Nevertheless, a vacation, a getaway is a time to rest. Rest from the pressures of work. Rest from the chores of home. Rest from the running. Although sometimes we need a vacation to recooperate (get it?) from our vacation, don’t we?
The Bible talks about rest, you know. Remember what God did after creating creation? He rested. No, he didn’t plan a trip to rest, he rested because His work was complete, done.
On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy,
because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.
Genesis 2:2-3
Then there’s the Promised Land. The land of rest. The ultimate vacation, right? The land flowing with milk and honey.
Today you are doing whatever you please, but that is not how it will be when you arrive in the place of rest the Lord your God is giving you. You will soon cross the Jordan River and live in the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession. When he gives you rest and security from all your enemies, you must bring everything I command you – your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your special gifts, and your offerings to fulfill a vow – to the place the Lord your God will choose for his name to be honored.
Deuteronomy 12:8-11
After 40 years of wandering on an 11 day journey, I can see why a rest was in store. The Promised Land was meant to be a place of rest. Remember, milk and honey? How’d that turn out for them?
Ah, but there’s another rest described by the writer of Hebrews:
For this Good News…only we who believe can enter his place of rest.
Hebrews 4:2-3
We can go to the beach, on a cruise, to the mountains, to Europe, wherever, but our rest can only be found in Him. If we want rest, if we want peace, we don’t need to go on vacation. That rest and peace is ours right here on earth.
This new place of rest was not the land of Canaan, where Joshua led them. If it had been, God would not have spoken later about another day of rest. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world.
Hebrews 4:8-11
A special rest. Who doesn’t want that? In fact, Jesus made it possible for all of us to have that special rest. In fact, Jesus is planning the vacation, only it’s not for just a week or so. It is eternal. It is not just a vacation to rest, it’s a rest for life!
There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2
A rest where we will find true rejuvenation, relaxation, refreshment, rest, peace, for all eternity. The ultimate, never ending vacation. A rest with the most spectacular heavenly views.