Daily Devotional: On vacation
"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." — Hebrews 10: 24-25. NRSVUE
Shortly after Kathy and I were married, my sister and her husband came to worship with us. They stayed in a nearby town, and while they were eating breakfast at their hotel, the waitperson asked what they were going to do on such a beautiful Sunday?
My sister responded, “My brother is a Pastor near here, and we’re going to Church.”
She later related to me the shock on the waitperson’s face — it was a gorgeous day, they were away from home on vacation, and STILL they were going to Church?!
Oftentimes during vacations or holiday weekends, churches I have pastored suffered a drop in attendance. People were visiting relatives, going to the lake, or away on a trip. Happily, at my most recent church, some of our vacationers became friends we looked forward to seeing every year. And holiday weekends were some of the best-attended. For Kathy and I, visiting churches while away on vacation often became one of the highlights of the trip.
The church is not dead or dying. She is always changing, stretching and evolving. Have faith. It all comes right. Especially on vacation.
Prayer: Lord? Your people are gathering to praise You in many places. Protect them and speak to them. Teach us to love, as You love us.
Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders has written books of Devotions, available locally at Ken’s Village Market in Indian River.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: On vacation
