Don't Take A Spiritual Spring Break!

This year is the first year that I took a spring break without any specific plans. Not only did I have ten days off of school, but I also took that time off of work; my girlfriend was out of town and most everyone on campus (where I was staying) had left for the vacation. It was an actual vacation, a time to relax and get recharged. 

Of course, I slept in late and stayed up late. Watched entire seasons of shows on Netflix and had Chipolte three days in a row. I didn't go anywhere further then the airport. I didn't look at my assignments until Sunday. I really did take a vacation from the expectations and priories that were on me. 

Getting back into the swing of things has been fine, I didn't completely check out so that I couldn't snap back to it, but one class has really challenged me today with a question. The question is very simple, yet convicting:

While going somewhere warm, or skiing or just sleeping during break is fun and maybe relaxing, how do you recharge spiritually? What is you pattern? What is your struggle with it?

Being on break from "everyday" life doesn't mean that you relax or take a break from your spiritual walk with Christ. Unlike sports, intellect, or Settlers of Catan none of us can claim an innate spiritual advantage. We are all equally disadvantaged! None of us seek God naturally; no one does good inherently. [Romans 3:9-18] We need to be crazy intentional, developing ourselves in Him daily, never taking time off from God. Being married doesn't mean you have to talk with your spouse or ever go home—but a lot is going to suffer if you don't intentionally make time. So is our relationship with the Lord God, intentional and consistant. (Adapted from R. Kent Hughes Disciplines of a Godly Man)

How much more do we need to be disciplined in what we are doing to stay connected to God, when we drop other responsibilities or expectations on vacation?

I recharge spiritually by giving ample time to read through devotions. However, that's a lot harder then it sounds—even while having a week of free time! My struggle is getting past the exciting things to do amidst the day like Netflix, Xbox and Board-games. I sometimes don't want to want to read the Word and commune with God. I think that it isn't exciting enough, or feel that it's something I have to do. Fortuity God has a passionate pursuit for us and will not let me stay in this attitude. When I do 'give in' and read the Word and start to commune with an honest heart, I am encouraged to continue in that, to develop the want to continue! 

I am blessed to have several people that I meet with regularly and are going through books together. This has helped develop a pattern of consistency. Through these times, I know that someone else is reading the same thing that I am and if I do not keep my end I'll be embarrassed and let down the person I've committed to reading with!

Day by day is different, but knowing when during the day I will make time with God is important. College does not allow for a high level of consistency in your schedule but making time, making margin, for the Lord is crucial. And don't I know it!

Don't let yourself take spring breaks from your spiritual walk, we cannot afford to do it! 

How Should We Respond

A friend of mine blogged regarding the football game that just happened, and the OREO response during the power outage. What is much less known is that tide also sent a graphic during the power outage on twitter which got very little response compared to OREO's.

Take a look:

My first reaction to the OREO advertisement was a good chuckle and a bit of respect for the quick response among the multitude of tweets that happened during the blackout of the Super Bowl™.  Tide was only minutes behind OREO, but their ad wasn't mentioned with the people I spent the big game with. Their response doesn't really make sense. I understand that Tide removes stains, but what does "get my blackout" even mean?

Tide and OREO both recognized that the situation that they could advertise to around 111.3 million people (2012 estimate) with a simple 144 character advertisement and it would be "understood" by those people. This was a great advertising move, both logically and logistically. Any buzz that arises around the power outage will now also move conversation to the OREO advertisement. But why not the Tide?

As Christians it is important for us to have the right understanding as we live here. We do not have a choice of living on this earth, as to somewhere else, but we are called to have a different understanding of it. 

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Eugene Peterson presents Romans 12:2 in his paraphrase:

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

How do we as Christians respond to the "blackout" times in our culture. When things are buzzing around us, how do we respond? Not only how quickly, but how does what we say or do land on other people? When we do respond is it an OREO statement that causes a lasting experience, or is a Tide statement that may be heard or seen by some but doesn't carry any weight at all?

As a Christian, how are you going to respond to the things around you? 

1 Peter 3:15 says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 

We need to always be prepared to give answer in a gentle, respectful and effective way.We need to be witnesses in the world through conduct, speech and love. How are you doing? How am I doing; am I the OREO advertisement or Tide? Am I hitting the mark, or missing it?