Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n12)
Life's Ripples from Broad Ripple United Methodist Church by Rev. Timothy Rasmussen
posted: Jun. 15, 2007
Vacation is an exciting time, and soon I'll be heading out to see Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. Just the thought of driving the open road and seeing God's creation has already started to help me relax. Rest, relaxation, and renewal are Biblical principles. Stepping out of routines and experiencing different places and different people gives us a different perspective on life.
Everyone needs time to retreat; even Jesus took such time. Several times throughout scripture, Jesus would separate from the people and go into the hills to meditate, pray, and just relax. If we are to be whole people, our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives need to work together. Our culture is getting better at promoting the act of caring for our physical bodies, but we're still behind other cultures when it comes to cultivating our emotional and spiritual health. Somehow, we never have the time to take care of ourselves in those areas.
This summer, take a vacation, whether you want to or not. Even a simple day or two away will refresh and renew. Take some time to be alone with God and with the people you love. You'll see yourself grow in powerful ways.
Tim has been a United Methodist Pastor since 1973 and has been at Broad Ripple United Methodist since 2003. Email your questions/comments to
tim@BroadRippleGazette.com
tim@broadripplegazette.com