School’s Out — Let’s Vacation!

Richard Thetford

When school lets out it marks the beginning of summer, a time when many start to plan and leave on their long awaited vacations. Vacation time is something that everyone needs. It is good to take some time and relax from the day to day pressures and routines. But it is not a time to relax from serving God! In a Guardian Of Truth article, May 18, 1995, brother Lewis Willis had some very good comments concerning our summer vacation time. The following are some excerpts that I have adapted and condensed from his article. It would do all of us some good to think on his words and ensure that we are doing all we can to serve God, even while we are on vacation.

There Is No Such Thing As A Vacation From God

It is not uncommon for some members of the church to abandon God in the summertime. Some get too busy with other things to even assemble for worship. Some feel that the church must get along without them until vacation time is over. We must realize that God is always here and therefore a Christian, that seeks to serve God first (Matt 6:33), realizes that there is no such thing as a vacation from God!

There Should Be No Vacation From Worshiping

At A Faithful Church

Some Christians would never think of missing worship on Sunday. However, when on vacation, they frequently take a vacation from worship with a faithful church. Strange planning isn't it? Most are careful to plan their vacation, to select the most beautiful sightseeing, good fishing, camping facilities, and restaurants. These are ESSENTIALS to a good vacation. However, many families never ask, "Is there a faithful church nearby where we can worship?" Doesn't it say something about us when we are more interested in good food and a bed to sleep in rather than finding a faithful place to worship? Did we forget? Was it the last thing on our minds? In either case, it manifests a serious spiritual problem!

Many think it's alright to attend liberal churches, if there is not a faithful church nearby. Where did we get the idea this is acceptable to God? Brethren, if it is acceptable on vacation, it is acceptable the rest of the time as well! I have heard members say, "If you didn't know it was liberal, you would not notice any difference." There really isn't much difference. They just participated with the Devil in the division of the body of Christ! It is amazing how brethren can overlook the differences in Christ's gospel, simply because they are on vacation.

Many members overlook a Bible truth. It goes like this: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph 5:11). When we attend a denomination (even one that has "Church of Christ" written over the door), we are violating this passage! We are sinning in the sight of God. We are having fellowship with them, and because we are on vacation does not change that fact. We are to prove that the Lord accepts the practice (Eph 5:10; 1 Thes 5:21). Brethren, if you are going to attend liberal churches while you are on vacation, you had better get ready with an answer that God will accept at the judgment (can you think of one?)! If there is no faithful church nearby, may I then suggest that a good thing to do would be to select another vacation destination? Would it not be better to miss seeing some wonder of the world than to miss Heaven?