Vacation Time

I try to take a little time off each year after Easter. My kids give me grief for working from home. They think I need to take days away from the house, leave my lap top and cell phone at home and relax. They’re probably right. The discipline of “getting away from it all” on a regular basis seems to be slipping away from me. It might be part of the aging process… I’m not sure. It might be part of being a pastor… I’ve not known too many pastor’s who ever retire or for that matter are very good at “getting away from it all.”

Rather than aging or serving, more likely it’s connected with cutting back on my weekly and monthly routines of surfing, fishing, sailing and kayaking. Running and cycling are fantastic substitutes but just don’t hold a candle to dropping in on a wave, hooking up with and fighting a fish, riding the wind or finding your way on a kayak. They’re just a few of the things I love to do when I take a little time away. They cleanse and refresh me. Re – creation at it’s best.

I’d like to think that Jesus took plenty of time away from it all. There’s little scriptural foundation for the thought. When I read or hear others teach on the topic it always sounds like they’re stretching it just a bit thin to me… but then again, “I love my work!” The Bible talks about Jesus; waking up early in the morning to be alone and pray, walking on the beach and the water to meet his disciples, fighting evil and fasting in loneliness in the desert. Hardly the “get away from it all” plan most of us consider a recipe for release.

Jesus was killed at the age of 33. He grew up in poverty, on the run in nations occupied by a brutal military regime an ocean away. His culture emphasized education and spiritual disciplines for their young men, keeping them busy. First born in the family, most Biblical scholars’ think He had to take over or at least train heavily in the carpentry shop with Joseph from an early age. And to top it all off, Jesus really did love His work: loved it enough to live and die for us, no holds barred.

It’s hard for us to ask, “What would Jesus do?” when it comes to taking time off, at least if we want an answer backed up by His life.

I’ve shown the Jesus film in a number of languages; English, Russian, Pokot, Swahili and Maasai. I always enjoy it. That said, my favorite part is when Jesus is teaching on the lilies of the fields, how they don’t worry or fret- but God takes care of them –so why should we spend our lives lost in worry? In Swahili it’s a terrific translation: Jesus says and I kid you not, “Akuna Mutata.” You know, like the cartoon character in “The Lion King.” No worries. Don’t worry about it. Don’t get yourself all bunched up. Akuna Matata. Some day I’m going to capture that piece of video for my blog and use it as an opener: a smiling Jesus, teaching the crowds, hanging out with the kids, walking through the fields and gently, yet firmly, teaching us an important lesson for living, “Don’t worry so much.” “Akuna Matata.”

I’d like to live my life according to His teaching in every area- even this –“Trust God. Give it to Him. Don’t worry so much.” This week I’m taking some time off: Pastor Ken’s not. He’s in Mexico Wednesday, has a funeral Thursday, before preaching Thursday evening, has a wedding rehearsal Friday, a wedding Saturday, before preaching Saturday evening, he’s preaching twice Sunday morning and along the way covering many of my other weekly responsibilities as well as his own, all the while doing Easter follow up. Looking at his schedule- it’s hard to imagine that it’s also “my” schedule week in and week out.

It’s enough to make me worry about Ken… but I’m not going to – I’m going to trust God – and thank Him, rest a bit… write some… visit Siempre- and if things get too uptight, I’m going to remember The Words of Jesus: “Akuna Matata” and take it easy. Ken can carry the load. I might even dream of going fishing or even slip out for a surf. If God can take care of the lilies of the field, if His Eye is on the sparrow, I know things are going to be A-OK.

Enjoy the fishing video. That’s me- hanging a tuna a couple hundred miles in the ocean a few years ago. I just might do it again this summer. If I can get out of the office, let go of my lap top and surrender my cell phone… “akuna matata.”

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