Relaxed, Restored, and Rejuvenated
By Justin March

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”1 Peter 5:10

This vacation was exactly what the doctor ordered!  I had been working the daily grind too long, and my body was telling me it was time to take a break.  And without the distractions of my cell phone, email, and media propaganda, I was able to focus on the healing I needed, the family I love, and the beautiful surroundings of a place I had never experienced before.

My body relaxed as I walked the beaches and listened to the ocean waves.  The stress began to melt away, and my eyes were open to new opportunities and destinations.  And even when that cool water sent a shiver up and down my spine, it was in these moments that I found the relaxation I so desperately needed.

I felt restored as I let go of the obligations this fast-paced world throws at me.  The broken frame was healing, and that beat down feeling began to dissipate.  The love of my family, the wildlife around me, and the fresh ocean air was all I needed to bring back that positivity.  And by the time our vacation came to an end, I felt whole again and ready to take on the world.

As our plane landed back in Denver, I couldn’t help but feel rejuvenated by this nice little break.  I had soaked up the sun, breathed in the ocean air, and relished in God’s beautiful creation.  I had spent precious time with family, enjoyed conversations with locals, and experienced new and exciting landmarks.  And in all of this, I found the energy I needed to come back home and start the next chapter.

Relaxed, restored, and rejuvenated.  Yes, I am feeling good after this vacation, and the memories made will last forever.  But how do I keep these feelings going when I face the stress of work and daily obligations again?  Let’s start with this.  I need to remember that no matter what this world wants to throw my way, I can feel relaxed when I end my day in Jesus’ loving arms.  I must understand that is only he who can restore me when I am weary, and that I must confess my sins, forgive my neighbors, and love unconditionally to become whole again.  And when I take the time to fulfill the mission he has for my life, I feel rejuvenated as I see his light and how it brings others nearer to him.

If you are feeling worn out, stressed, or overworked, I pray that you find the time to take a break and spend some time with our creator.  We may not always be able to take a vacation and escape the realities of our daily grinds, but we do have the opportunity to pray, read our bibles, volunteer at charities, love one another, and strive towards fulfilling God’s mission.  And when we keep our faith strong and trust in the Lord, it is then that we will always feel relaxed, restored, and rejuvenated as he takes our hand and leads us to the cross!