Take Five-minute Vacations

Take Five-Minute Vacations

Despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:15-16

When you saw today’s title, “Take Five-Minute Vacations,” did you roll your eyes and think, Yeah, right. Like I’ve got time for that.

Well, yes, we do. If Jesus could withdraw from all the pressing needs around him, we can too. In fact, those times of withdrawal allowed him to hear from his heavenly Father and to be refreshed before confronting the next challenge. In taking those times, he provided a perfect example for us to follow to recharge our spiritual batteries. And, in addition to strengthening prayers, we can toss relaxing moments into our schedules.

When my corporate job thrust me into a windowless cubicle, I pinned a poster of Pikes Peak on the wall so I could periodically stretch my eyes. I’ve also made attending local farmers’ markets a relaxing habit. I need the vegetables anyway, so why not add the fun of seeing the bright colors displayed in booths set up under shade trees in a nearby park?

Heidi loves early-morning walks, but her work schedule as a nurse made that difficult. She seldom found the time until the day she realized almost three-fourths of the clinic’s patients made appointments because of stress-related illnesses, including high blood pressure, frequent colds, and irregular heartbeats. Realizing the human body has limited ability to deal with continuous stress, Heidi knew she had a choice: She could spend time enjoying a walk in the fresh air, or she could spend time sitting in the doctor’s office as a patient. Suddenly she had found the motivation she needed for those energizing walks. —SANDRA

Lord, often I take better care of my car than I do of myself. Help me to follow your example of withdrawing from the crowds to pray. And help me to take better care of the body you have given me.

Jesus knows we must come apart and rest awhile, or else we may just plain come apart.

—VANCE HAVNER (1901–1986), PREACHER, EVANGELIST, AND CONFERENCE SPEAKER