Well, it’s that time again… SPRING BREAK!
I’ve always enjoyed spring break. In years gone by it was an opportunity to go the the beach and pretend the water was warm enough in which to swim. We would all lather on our tanning lotions and work hard at taking home evidence that we had actually been to the big party. More often than not, what I took home was a sun burn not a sun tan.
I like seeing families take the opportunity to go away after a long winter season. I like the idea that they would spend time laughing and playing together. I miss them at church but am happy for their fun.
Spring break always signalled a time for me to "get it in gear" cause "summer’s coming!" Believe it or not, we\’ve only got eight more weeks of school and the summer schedule will kick in to high gear (don\’t think about that right now… not the point of this post).
This year I don\’t have any plans to vacation during spring break. I’ve been away a good bit this winter and to take time off to enjoy that tradition just didn\’t seem feasible. What I have decided though is I need to take this opportuntiy to think about a "spiritual" spring break.
Wait a minute… don\’t get me wrong. I\’m not talking about vacationing from God, His work, or even my ministry… what I\’m talking about is a time of renewal and refreshment. What I need this spring is some concentrated time in the Word, seeking and preparing for what He would have next for me.
As children’s minsiters we can get caught up in the routine of our ministry and if not careful find ourselves at work more than in His Word. That’s always a danger when we spend our lives serving God. If not careful, we\’ll spend all our time serving and forget about spending time with The One we Serve.
Let me encourage you to take a Spring Break this year and find some time… a day, a morning, even just an hour… to seek renewal and refreshment. Find the time to refocus and restore. You\’ll be glad you did!
It’s funny I was just having the same thought. When God first called me to ministry I spent quite a bit of time doing just this. I was searching to see what God was calling me to. I came to the realization recently that I have not really done that since then. And I have wondered why I wasn’t real clear on what God wanted me to do in my minsitry. Thanks for this reminder.
Matt N.