The evenings begin to draw out and, for many, thoughts turn to the warm and sunny days of summer and holidays.
Such thoughts help to speed the grey winter days, helped by the TV travel programmes which offer us tempting vistas of what next summer could have in store if we book early for that bargain villa holiday in Spain, that self-catering gem in Greece or that idyllic week flotilla-sailing in the Caribbean! Add the weekend supplements and those visits to the travel agent resulting in a pile of brochures that help whet our appetites for that perfect week away next summer.
It is an enticing prospect and probably most put cash aside to fund that much-needed week or fortnight, and it is right and proper to do so. But I find myself asking a searching question: 'Where does God fit into my holiday plans?' Do we pray about such things? Do we have a 'theology of holidays'? We should, for were they not originally 'holy' days and was not 'rest' a creation ordinance? Do we see our holidays as a break from work and, dare I say it, a break from God and church, etc., or do we ask 'How will my holiday help me and my family to "grow in grace and the knowledge and love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3.18)?'
