How To Take a God-Honoring Vacation

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” — Mark 6:31 (ESV)

We often think of vacation as a luxury or an indulgence, something to squeeze in when life allows. But Scripture paints a different picture. Rest is not just permitted — it is commanded. It reflects God's own rhythm of work and rest, and when embraced with the right heart, it honors Him.

In Genesis 2:2-3, we see the first example of rest: "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested... So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy."

God didn’t rest because He was tired — He rested to set a pattern for us to follow. Jesus, too, practiced intentional rest. In Mark 6:31, after a season of intense ministry, He said to His disciples, “Come away... and rest.” He knew the value of stepping away to recharge.

Vacation, when taken with the right heart, is not about escaping responsibilities but about refreshing the body, mind, and soul. It gives us time to reconnect with God, with loved ones, and even with ourselves. In doing so, we return to our daily lives more aligned with God’s purpose.

Taking a vacation isn’t just about fun — it’s about faith. When we rest, we’re acknowledging that God is sovereign and that we are not. We stop striving, we lay down control, and we trust God to carry on without us.

This principle is woven throughout Scripture:

1. Rest is a Command, Not a Suggestion

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.” — Exodus 34:21

Even in the busiest seasons (like harvest time!), God commands rest. This tells us: You are not too important or too busy to take a break.

2. Rest Demonstrates Trust

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” — Isaiah 30:15

Rest is not laziness; it is an act of faith. It means trusting God to sustain you, your job, your family, and your responsibilities even while you pause.

Practical Application: How to Take a Faith-Filled Vacation

Here are five practical, biblical ways to make your next vacation spiritually meaningful and restorative:

1. Prepare with Prayer

Before you go, invite God into your plans. Pray:

• “God, help this time be more than relaxation — let it renew my spirit and realign my heart with You.”
• “Guard our time away from distractions and tension. Draw my family closer.”

Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

2. Sabbath While You’re Away

Build moments of quiet and worship into your trip, even just 10–15 minutes daily.

• Start your day with a psalm or devotional.
• Schedule a short prayer walk alone or with your spouse.
• Listen to worship music while driving or hiking.

Tip: Don’t over-plan. Leave margin for stillness. (This is easier said than done!)

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

3. Unplug Intentionally

Use vacation as a time to fast from the digital world and reconnect with God and people face-to-face.

Practice:

• Set “no phone zones” (like meals or nature walks).
• Use airplane mode to limit interruptions.

Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

4. Reflect and Journal

Take time to reflect on the season you’re coming out of and where God might be leading you next.

Questions to journal:

• What has God been teaching me?
• What am I carrying that I need to lay down?
• What am I thankful for in this season?

Lamentations 3:22-23: “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.”

5. Return with Intention

Don’t just “snap back” into routine. Carry your renewal into your daily life.

• Consider keeping a slower pace.
• Reinforce boundaries you honored during your vacation (like screen limits or quiet time).
• Share lessons God showed you with your family or small group.

Deuteronomy 5:15: “Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out... therefore the Lord your God commands you to keep the Sabbath day.”

Let rest change your rhythm, not just your location.

Pray this prayer: Lord, thank You for modeling rest and inviting me into it. Help me not to resist vacation but to receive it as a gift from You. May my time away be full of joy, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Teach me how to slow down so I can hear You better and return refreshed to live with intention. In Jesus’ name, Amen.