spring break

Spring Break is the highlight of Spring semesters of my college career. In the fall, there is Volunteer football and tailgating. In the spring, there is Spring Break.  I went to Destin last with a group from my church.  We might have been the only college students on Miramar Beach to be sipping Diet Root Beer out of our red solo cups, in bed before midnight, and up before eight o’clock.  Sounds like a trip to a senior citizens center in Pensacola, I know.  But we had a blast.  We played Frisbee, Corn hole, Volleyball, Football, and everything in between.  We fellowshipped and enjoyed each other’s company.  I realized two things on this trip:

The first was on Tuesday morning.  I woke up in my California King sized bed that I was sharing with two other girls, to find one of the girls missing.  I hadn’t heard the door to the room open.  I got out of the bed and walked to the window to evaluate the weather.   I saw the girl sitting on the balcony with her bible in hand reflecting on God’s creation by the seashore.   I felt a rush of guilt.  I read my devotional every morning at home.  I said my prayers and reflected on the day in conversation with God every night.  In my mind though, this was vacation.  I was somehow justifying denying myself quiet time as relaxation.  I was more concerned with an investment in my tan skin than in my eternal life and personal relationship with the Maker of everything great I was seeing.  I was inspired by her.  Why didn’t I find enjoyment in spending that time with God, and WANT to relax in conversation with Him even on vacation?  Didn’t I realize I would find more rest and peace in His word than I could ever find laying on a beach towel? 

The second thing I realized was a new type of service.  I watched these young men and women enjoying their time just as I had my entire life, by just being their fun-loving selves.   I realized that in today’s world of extreme expectations, we often feel we have to be super Christians and be on our A-game at all times.  If we’re not serving in huge ways every moment of everyday, we have room for improvement.  I’m not saying we don’t all have opportunity for growth at all points in life, but we have become to wrapped up in being the “Best Christian”, we forget that just simple fellowship and connection with people is a service in God’s name.   Connecting with someone on a level that helps them to become comfortable and connected, will lead to the opportunity to be an assistant to God’s work in lives later.

I can't wait for Spring Break again in just a few ways, and opportunities to learn a few more lessons that He has in store when I'm least expecting it.