Holidays – 21 July 2006

Tomorrow many members of St. Matthew’s travel to the Christian holiday at Shepton Mallet called New Wine. For those who don’t know it, we camp on an agricultural showground and it will be a blessing if we can “go to the privy in the street and never wet our feet” * – it’s not as civilised as Kansas City!

 

After our visit to Beira Jackie and I will take a holiday in Cape Town and the Western Cape Province. Holidays, times of relaxation and recreation, are vital to our emotional, physical and spiritual health. I hope that you will have some time this summer, whether somewhere exotic or not, when you have a holiday. A break from routine, a change of focus, new opportunities and time for yourself.

 

Hopefully on holiday we will also have more time for God – the word “holiday” comes from “Holy Day”. Oh that every day were a “holy day” – a day set apart for God, where we allowed his Spirit to control our lives. Paul writes “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  Gal 5:25 (NIV)

 

And Peter wrote “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." “ 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV)

 

Have a wonderful holi-day!