Q: This summer it seems like everyone went on vacation. Is it biblical to take vacations?
A: Strictly speaking, it’s difficult to find examples of believers going on “vacation” in the Bible. Paul took trips, but the missionary journeys were hardly relaxing. Jesus got away for prayer and spiritual refreshment, but those were more like spiritual retreats than modern vacations. And David once ignored his military duties in order to spend his afternoons relaxing (2 Samuel 11:2), but that led to his committing adultery and murder—hardly a positive biblical instance of vacation.
Still, Scripture provides a basis for times of rejuvenation. For one, God built cycles of rest into the order to the creation, marking one day each week to be spent away from work. Beyond that, annual festivals on the Jewish calendar provided for extended rest and recreation. The author of Ecclesiastes rightly called his readers to the pleasures of life: “Go, eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7). The Lord has sanctioned recreation; there is no need to feel guilty for times focused on enjoyment—this is part of God’s plan.
When considering vacation plans though, one issue should rise to the top of a Christian’s mind: am I going on vacation simply to avoid work or to rejuvenate for work? Only the latter is a godly motivation for time away.
Scripture portrays work as dignified, a part of God’s good creation before the fall, and no one should avoid it. God Himself is portrayed as a worker (Genesis 1), planning, deciding, ordering, doing, and evaluating repeatedly in creating the world. Indeed, He continues to work throughout history (cf. Psalm 121) and is constantly working even today (John 5:17). In that vein, the Fourth Commandment prescribes six days of diligent work each week. Just as it is wrong for a Christian to hate God’s other commands, it is a sin to seek a vacation out of disdain for work.
Rather than thinking of time away as vacation (a cognate of “vacant”), perhaps we should reclaim the term “holiday” (from “holy day”). The emphasis should fall on spiritual reorientation and refreshment in order to tackle our work “as unto the Lord” when we return.
In the novel Moby Dick, Herman Melville illustrated the need for rest in service of effective work. Before the whalers realized this principle, the poor harpooner would have to row along with his colleagues in a boat pursuing the whale. But by the time they reached it, he was exhausted and ill-equipped to spear the beast with accuracy and strength. They finally decided he should ride while the others rowed so that when the time came, he could do his job with good effect. Though he rested, it was as a means and not as an end in itself.
Unfortunately, many have lost this sense of purpose in their rest. By their standard, the more rest the merrier—avoid as much work as possible with trips to the beach, the amusement park, and the resort. But for the God-called servant, there is a different path. We enjoy boats, golf, camping, and explorations of exotic destinations, just like our non-believing peers. Yet our rest has a purpose: it’s rest in order to work.
Also, I think if you take a closer look at the places that Paul traveled through in the book of Acts, you’ll find areas that were known as “resort & relaxation” places.
If you can look our suffering brothers and sisters in say, India, in the face and tell them, “I’d love to give you money for food, but I HAVE to go on vacation.” I think the Lord will convict you. We are supposed to live “in the world, not as the world.” Are vacations REALLY what God wants you to have/do?
I would agree, that what is most important to God are the factors that motivate us to want to take a “vacation”, I’m seeking out these articles to confront my desire to go and “see” Europe, and to visit the eastern coast of America (tour historical museums and what not). Okiedokie111, also makes a good point though, we are to steward God’s money to further His purpose. To go on a vacation for the purpose of seeking our own pleasure, and to have something to boast about in our collection of places visited is highly vain and useless to greater purposes for us in Christ. Spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on ourselves to escape and find comfort in the world and what it has to indulge our senses is not representing a belief that God is, and that He rewards those who seek Him. Now, to get alone and seek the Lord, this is something altogether different. We are called to be separate, holy- and I believe that there are times where God has ordained rest, where we do wear thin in our services, and where we find ourselves drained. Seek the Lord, and rest my weary brothers, because Jesus provides rest for our souls! This rest can occur in a fun context, in a sanctified manner. For instance, we recently traveled to Mexico on a mission trip where we stayed in sweaty hammocks, we were able to do skits to speak where our words failed, share the gospel to locals, preach in church services etc. On other days we toured Mayan ruins, went to the city markets and purchased the native jewelry, and even stayed in a hotel surrounding our flight. We were blessed to spend the “siesta” hours seeking the Lord in his word, or somewhere caught between naps and prayer. Missionary journeys are the perfect context for us a Christians to get to experience a beautiful dynamic between rest, admiring the world created for us, and serving God to the fullness of our hearts. Weather you eat or drink in what so ever you do, do all unto the glory of God. So, if you are a Christian, and you are eager to go see some place, and you have a couple weeks off, where ever you go, you are a missionary for God, so prove in that time to be a good and faithful one. But also know that the Lord isn’t scowling at you if you and your family, or your friends, or brothers and sisters in Christ visit a water park together. Fun, happy Christians smiling and eagerly enjoying life, sharing the gospel, and suffering where God has ordained and called us to suffer- we are all of these things!