“R & R”In the armed forces, R&R means “rest & relaxation”. If you are on “R&R”, you are taking a break from everyday service; fundamentally, you are on vacation. But even on vacation, removed from day-to-day duties and responsibilities, you are still expected to conduct yourself in a proper manner, or you are subject to the consequences for unbecoming behavior from whichever branch of the military you happen to serve in. Even on vacation, you are still a soldier. The apostle Paul tells Timothy in his second letter to him [2 Timothy 2:4] that we all serve as “soldiers of Christ“. As soldiers of Christ, we are to be a reflection of Christ and his attitude at ALL times, aren’t we? We are to be prepared “in season and out of season” [2 Timothy 4:2], “thoroughly equipped for all good works” [2 Timothy 3:17]. So what about when WE, as soldiers of Christ, go on vacation; when we grab a little R&R time? Vacation season is upon us. The weather is beautiful (though some might argue a little hot for their tastes), and the kids are out of school. This is the time of year in the United States that Americans think about hittin’ the road and getting out of town. Whether by plane, train, boat, or automobile, summertime is the time when most of us get “wanderlust”: the desire to just get away from it all. But when we do decide to get away from it all, we need to make sure that we truly don’t decide to get away from it ALL. You see, whether at home or abroad, we are still Christians, still soldiers of Christ. Not only are we still expected to conduct ourselves as “ambassadors of Christ” [2 Corinthians 5:20], but we are still expected to work, and to be examples to those around us. “If anyone
speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone
serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all
things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” So does this mean God doesn’t think we need a little R&R? Our Father knows the need and value of rest from physical labor. He understands the worth of taking time to refresh oneself. We read in Genesis 2:2-3 that God Himself rested from His labors: “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.” God even commanded His people to rest in Exodus 23:12: “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household and the aliens as well may be refreshed.” God is our creator and He, better than anyone, knows the physical limitations of our earthly bodies. He knows we need time to rest physically and mentally from our labors. But we cannot take spiritual vacations, can we? We are to “Rejoice in the Lord always” [Philippians 4:4], we are to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” [1 Peter 3:15]. The only spiritual rest we are entitled to is that rest which God the Father and His Son provide through the salvation of our souls: “…ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 “Come
to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls…” So while we are out this summer enjoying all of God’s handiwork, enjoying the many blessings of this life as God intends us to do, let’s remember to give God the praise, and not forget the sacrifice of His Son that makes REAL“R&R” possible. — Paul Seely, July 10, 2011 |