Never Ending Vacation

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 

My wife and I love being grandparents. Not long ago we took our grandkids on a vacation with us. We had a great time together. On the last day of our trip our granddaughter said, “I want to stay on vacation forever!” I think all of us agreed with her, but reality would not let us stay on vacation forever.

I imagine most people share my granddaughter's sentiment. Vacations are fun. No work. No responsibilities. Someone else cooking the food and cleaning up the room and making the bed. Enjoying a variety of fun activities to endlessly entertain us. That is what vacations are all about. Who would ever want that to end?

But of course, all vacations do come to an end. Eventually we have to go back to work to save up money for our next vacation! At some point we have to demonstrate responsibility for our homes and families. That is what life is all about.

Sadly, some people have not learned this simple truth. They think they can just float through life without accepting responsibility for anything. They might get away with it for a while, but at some point the party comes to an end. It is better to learn how to accept responsibility early in life, find a job that is meaningful, care for one’s family well, set up a realistic financial structure, and find a church to join and become involved in. These are the ingredients of a happy life. While an endless vacation might sound tempting, it is just not how life works. Don’t wait to learn this lesson after everything has crumbled around you. Learn it now and then live the life God wants you to have.

Lord, thank you for the fun times You give us. Help us to also learn the importance of accepting responsibility for living a good and godly life. Amen.

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Dr. Terry W. Dorsett serves at the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of New England. He has been a pastor, church planter, denominational leader and author in New England for more than 20 years. He is a happy husband, a proud father and adoring grandfather. He is a cancer survivor and believes that God works powerfully through times of suffering. He writes extensively and you can find all of his books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr.-Terry-W.-Dorsett/e/B00405U4NY