It was a blessing to be able to speak at a youth conference in Grand Junction, CO, this past Friday. There is nothing I enjoy more than preaching God’s Word to young ready hearts. I often think that I could have been a youth pastor for the rest of my life and been totally satisfied ministering to young people. While enjoying the opportunity to speak to the youth, I decided it was a good opportunity to cultivate the garden of the Johnson family and to spend some time recharging the batteries before the busy fall is upon us. So we went a few days early to Colorado and stayed a few days later in Colorado. This was truly our first week long family vacation we had taken since our oldest son was born, and it was a blessing. I am so thankful that while we were on vacation, God was not. He was working in my heart and life challenging me concerning specific truths of Christian living. In this article, I want to express some of those valuable lessons I learned while on a vacation.
First, I learned once again, that the discipleship of the children God has given me is the most important ministry I have. It is easy as a pastor/minister to become so involved in study, preaching, visiting, and counseling to neglect my most important ministry responsibility. God has blessed me with three disciples, and if I do not plan quality and quantity of time to shape their tender hearts to love God, I am not worthy to lead the church of God.
Second, I was reminded of the power and beauty of our great God in creating this world. From the desert monoliths of the Colorado Monument; to the rolling, green pastures of the Western Slope of Colorado; to towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains, I was reminded that God is magnificent in all He does. Eat your heart out Disney! Do your best New York! I favor God’s hand over anything man sets his hand to work. I was reminded while sitting beneath a 200 foot waterfall surrounded by majestic peaks and gently swaying Aspens, as the mist slowly moistened our faces, “The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. 1:20). It occurred to me that if I am going to teach my children of the eternal power and divinity of God, I need to expose them to the creation by God. As a conviction, my wife and I have determined to use the majority of our recreation time to introduce our children to the majesty of God’s creation, so that they will become acquainted with his eternal power and divinity.
Third, God reminded me of the refreshment available in worship of Him on His day, Sunday. We had the privilege of attending Victory Baptist Church in Montrose, CO. Sure enough in God’s Provident design, Pastor Jim Welch was preaching a sermon on the responsibilities of pastors to shepherd God’s flock. As I listened to God’s under-shepherd unpack I Peter 5, I smiled thinking how God knew what day I, a pastor, would be vacationing in Colorado and planned the exact sermon to be directed at me on that day. We had lunch with Pastor Welch and his wife, Paula (who is an excellent cook) getting to eat a fabulous dinner with elk meat. It has been a while since I had elk, and it was delicious. Oh, how refreshing to be able to be miles from home and still fellowship with the saints as brothers and sisters.
Fourth, God reminded me once again of the wonderful partner he has given me to enjoy all of my life with, my beautiful wife. Being with her and the children 24/7 reminded me of what I miss every time I go to the office or am out late on a call or in a meeting. God reminded me of her faithful ministry to our children and to me. God taught me that I do not express my gratitude to my dear wife enough. She truly is the glue that holds the Johnsons together.
I am thankful that even when “vacationing” God is still teaching and growing us. He lovingly admonishes us to “seek first the kingdom of God.” And “No good thing will he withhold from them who walk uprightly.”
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