Time to hit the road?
Join the MSVGA movement (making summer vacation great again)
Rest, relaxation and recreation are good gifts from our God, and summer is a great time to enjoy them, as we discussed last week. Summer vacations are a staple of the season, so let’s explore how to make them God-honoring and family-enriching.
Where to go, where to go
First, I think it’s worth considering where Jesus went when He needed rest and renewal. Scripture tells us He went to pray or rest on mountain tops, in the desert, at the sea, in gardens. His times with His Father were almost always in nature.
Perhaps we should consider the same! After all:
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat. – Psalm 19:1-6
At the beach, in the forest, at the lake, in the meadow, by the river, in the desert – one can bring a Bible and meditate on Scripture that is replete with allusions to God’s beautiful creation.
Here are just a few of the many passages that declare the glory of God in nature:
Want more? How about 150 scriptures broken down into various nature categories (sea and sky, animals and birds, etc.) There’s certainly something for you to meditate on, wherever your summer travels take you in God’s natural world.
Vacationing (not like the Griswolds)
Some people don’t see a need for vacations, at least not the way a lot of families do them. Expensive theme park destinations, endless self-indulgence of various kinds, and coming home exhausted and broke.
National Lampoon’s Vacation movie was a parody of such trips, as the Griswold family encountered disaster after disaster in their cross-country trip to a Disney-esque place called Walley World. But Clark Griswold did seek to bring his family closer together, a worthy goal. And reaching that goal is likely easier if the trip isn’t focused on the Mouse, or something along those same lines.
I’m not saying you can’t take your family to Disney or other such destinations. But that’s not really rest, relaxation, or even recreation… in the sense that re-creation means, as writer Patrick Swayne says, “getting yourself into a frame of mind to continue your service to God, keeping God in the picture the whole time.”
So how can we take a vacation that best honors and brings us closer to our God?
One choice towers above all others for its sheer variety of beauty and activities, and that’s God’s great theme park (no, I don’t mean the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, but if you absolutely must visit a theme park, you probably can’t do much better than that).
No, I mean the theme park we know as Creation. The best vacations will spark wonder and appreciation for the endless variety of natural beauty He created for us. Beaches, forests, lakes and rivers – some destinations can offer all those in one vacation!
So instead of booking a resort or theme park, consider finding an area of great natural beauty to make your vacation “home base,” whether that means you’ll be camping or in some type of vacation rental.
National parks: Places like Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, or Acadia offer diverse landscapes – mountains, forests, and waterfalls—perfect for hiking, stargazing, and reflection. Check nps.gov for family-friendly trails and ranger-led programs.
State parks: Often less crowded and closer to home, these are great for camping or day trips. Many have lakes or rivers for kayaking or fishing.
Coastal areas: Beaches like those along the Oregon Coast or Gulf Shores provide opportunities for sunrise walks and meditating on scripture.
Forests or lakes: Rent a cabin near a place like the Ozarks or Finger Lakes for a mix of hiking, swimming, and quiet evenings.
Tip: Look for locations with minimal light pollution for stargazing! Use recreation.gov to book campsites or cabins early, as summer slots fill fast. (Might be too late for some popular sites this summer, but early planning for next summer is also recommended.)
What not to bring on vacation
Day to day we tend to spend way too much time inside looking at screens (I know I do). That’s a habit to work on breaking at home, any day. But vacations, especially outdoor-based trips, provide a stellar opportunity for a family to begin pivoting on this. So think hard on which electronic devices should vacation with you.
Hear me out: One parent brings a phone. Everything else that requires charging at night stays home.
There’s another reason for this, besides preventing everyone from staring at their phones instead of experiencing the elation of being in a naturally beautiful place.
And that is preventing everyone from staring at their phones instead of experiencing each other. Vacations are a wonderful time to forge unique bonds within your family. Banning electronics is a start, but there are other ways to facilitate healthy family time.
It’s all in the planning
For example, your vacation research should ferret out fun age-appropriate group activities offered wherever you’ll be. Research local options like guided nature tours, horseback riding, or community festivals, or even junior ranger programs.
One main activity per day is probably enough, because you also want plenty of unstructured time for simple pleasures like impromptu beach walks or forest hikes, lounging with a good book, staring at the night sky, sitting around a campfire. Let everyone fully soak in the special place you’ve chosen to be.
Plan a daily time of worship (family devotions) in a scenic location, where you can read the Bible together (remember the 150 scriptures mentioned above!), pray, and sing praise to the Creator (how about a rousing round of “How Great Thou Art”?). It hits different when you’re smack dab in the middle of His handiwork.
And some of the best memories come from unplanned surprises – like a thunderstorm that cancels plans. Bring board games and lanterns so the weather can’t prevent you from enjoying a single moment of this trip. And when something goes wrong (which it will), remind the kids (and each other) that perhaps God is protecting you from something, blessing you with something, or teaching you something!
One more valuable lesson your family can take away from your vacation revolves around Hebrews 10:24-25 – not forsaking assembling together, i.e. going to church. This activity will vividly illustrate to your kids the reality that the Body of Christ is much larger than our own local churches.
Your pre-trip planning should include researching a church (or churches, depending on your vacation length) to visit. It doesn’t have to align perfectly with your church’s every practice, but a solid biblical foundation is what you’re seeking. A couple church finder websites that I like are the Master’s Seminary network and the G3 Church Network (G3 standing for gospel, grace and glory).
Depending on the age of your kids, you might also consider something more off your beaten path. Is there an outdoor beach service near where you’ll be? A beautiful little chapel in the forest? You still want to rule out any such locations that are obviously just preaching nonsense (pride flag, for instance = red flag).
Redeem the road trip
Most vacations like we’re describing here will involve a road trip, which provides countless opportunities for engaging all your travelers with each other and with God.
Start it off right. Don’t start the car until you’ve prayed, thanking God for the opportunity to enjoy time away. Ask Him to bless your trip with His protection and with sweet times of making memories together. Ask Him, also, to help you “be Jesus” to everyone you encounter. You may meet someone you can help; you’ll almost certainly meet someone you can pray for.
Now you’re underway. Since you’re not doing the “everyone wearing ear buds” thing (you’re not, right?) – you can all listen to music, audio stories, podcasts, or audiobooks together. Pre-trip, encourage everyone to submit their favorites, so you can curate a mix of music and fun audiobooks – try “The Wingfeather Saga” for kids or C.S. Lewis for all ages, for example.
Frequent breaks for everyone to stretch their legs are a must. Some health providers recommend a 5 minute walk break every hour, if that won’t drive the driver insane! And if you stop somewhere where you can sit outside for a bit, or maybe on your lunch break, consider a brief worship time. Everyone should have their own Bible with them, along with notebooks or coloring books, crayons or markers, stickers, etc. There are devotionals specifically designed for vacations, like this inexpensive one and this one that’s free.
And see this resource, from a church in Missouri, with lots of ideas for your road trip including some fun travel games which are of course the ultimate time-tested road trip activity. Classics in this category include 20 Questions or License Plate Bingo.
Other summer fun
I realize that in some circumstances, budget may demand a “staycation” – where you just find beautiful places and fun things to do, all close to home. But getting away completely is worth the trouble, if at all feasible, because it will bond your family in unforgettable ways, and create unique memories. Tent camping, in particular, can be very affordable.
I would also encourage you (if you’re more my age!), to plan a family vacation with your adult children. The bonding and memory-making experience still applies, and if grandchildren are involved, all the better! I know families where this is the absolute highlight of their summer.
In any event, by focusing on God, His creation, and each other, your vacation can refresh your soul and strengthen your faith and your family.
For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:16