A Vacation Won't Solve Your Problems, Only Jesus Can
Have you ever been on a retreat? Maybe it was a retreat weekend with a spouse, a ski retreat in the mountains, or a family retreat with your kids.
Typically when we hear the word, we think of fun times with friends and family, a lot of us probably think of the great outdoors, or a luxury hotel. But I’ve always found it interesting that the word we use is “retreat.”
In another context, retreat is essentially a word for failure. Or at least that’s what it feels like. We retreat when something is a lost cause. When it seems like the battle can never be won. Sometimes retreat is our only option when we feel stressed, worn out, and overwhelmed.
The great news is that we don’t need to have the time or the money to go for a weekend getaway in order to rest up, recharge, and bring a sense of peace back into our lives.
In Matthew 11:28 (ESV) Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He doesn’t say “Go spend a week on a beach and you will find rest,” or “Time away from your kids will give you rest,” or even “Volunteering on a mission trip will give you rest.” Of course we’re affected by our earthly surroundings and retreating away from our everyday lives to find some calm can be extremely beneficial! But the only way our vacations can be truly restful is if we make time for our faith.
The peace we find in God “surpasses all understanding” and “will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 ESV).
We can rest securely, today and everyday, in the knowledge that we don’t need to retreat because Jesus has already won the battle for us. We find victory in Him, and no matter what we’re dealing with, He will carry our burdens and give us rest.
