Arriving home, I felt an immediate sense of relief. All I wanted was to go to bed. It didn’t make any sense. I had just spent a week on vacation. Wasn’t I supposed to feel rested and energized, like I’d had a reset before coming back to the demands of everyday life? As I set down my suitcase, the only thing I wanted was a vacation from my vacation.
The week had been wonderful. It was a road trip months in the making. For years, I’d wanted to visit Niagara Falls and finally made it happen. I read reviews, researched attractions and lodging, and made reservations. Miraculously, everything went according to plan.
It started with great food at a restaurant I had researched and chosen ahead of time. Then a big tourist attraction, hotel check-in, and a swim. The next morning was an early start and the day unfolded with a handful of activities, all ranked as “must-do” in the area. I finished everything just in time for my dinner reservation and fireworks before heading to bed. The next morning, I got up and tackled day two of my itinerary. Every day was more of the same. It was a getaway full of good memories, delicious food, and amazing adventures. The entire week was full.
Is vacation meant to be full?
I don’t get many opportunities to travel. When I do, I make sure I’m getting the most out of it. The world is full of amazing places and it’s normal to want to experience them to the fullest. So I pack as much in as I can, not wanting to miss a thing. But what if all that filling is the very thing that leaves me feeling empty?
What if I’ve lost sight of the purpose of vacation?
Maybe you’ve asked the same question. When we live our lives of work and school and relationships and church and basic living, it makes for a very full life. As believers, we know the value of working and serving well. But what if vacation is supposed to be a special sabbath, a break from all the things that fill the day-to-day? A rest from the good work we do in our daily lives?
Obviously, vacation is a break. Maybe it’s a break from work or school. And that’s good. But if the first thing you do with that break is fill it with other things, it doesn’t leave much space for rest. It doesn’t give your body, mind or soul the space to exhale and just be.
If you hope to return feeling rested and replenished, you can’t treat your vacation like another job. You can’t keep filling it with things, even good things. You need space to slow down, embrace quiet, and relax. When you do that, there is room for God to fill you with the rest and replenishment you long for.
The model for rest and how God provides
The Bible gives many examples of how God calls us to rest. He begins by setting the example in Genesis, resting after six days of creation work. The pattern continues throughout Scripture:
- Elijah, fleeing from his enemy, feared for his life. The Lord sent help in the form of an angel, who provided food and rest.
- God promised rest to David and the people of Israel, saying, “I will give you rest from all your enemies.”
- Jesus rested. Even as He served and was pursued by multitudes of followers, He took time for rest. We see it in multiple accounts including Mark 6:45-47 when He took a boat to find a quiet place to be alone and pray, and Luke 9:28 when He took those closest to Him to a mountain to pray.
- Jesus reminded His disciples to make time for rest: “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.”
Rest isn’t an occasional luxury; it is a necessity to live full, healthy lives that honor God. While an active and busy vacation can be wonderful, it doesn’t provide the rest we sometimes need from our daily lives. The good news is you can create a vacation that prioritizes the rest God wants you to have.
Crafting a restful vacation that fills your soul
The most important element to creating a restful vacation is resisting the urge to fill every minute of it. That’s not to say you can’t do anything fun. Fun can be restful, especially if your daily life lacks fun. The key is to recognize the need for rest from the beginning and then design a vacation that provides a break for your body, mind and soul.
There are different ways you can do this. As you plan, remember that rest isn’t another thing to check off on a busy itinerary. This approach makes rest feel like work. Rest also doesn’t need to look the same every time. So where should you start?
Be intentional. The key to creating a restful vacation is being intentional about it. If you struggle with having restful vacations, create a plan to make it happen. Without this, it’s easy to fall into the habit of doing too much.
Decide what type of vacation you’ll take. Consider making time for at least two types of vacations this year — one that incorporates tourist activities and things to do, and another that is dedicated to rest. If doing two vacations isn’t possible, consider blocking a day at the beginning of the trip and a day or two at the end for rest.
Set a timeframe. A restful vacation doesn’t need to be weeks long. You can create a few days away that are dedicated to rest. Shorter trips throughout the year are a great way to relax and refresh.
Practice makes perfect. It’s easy to try something and give up if it doesn’t work the first time. If you try a restful vacation and it doesn’t meet your expectations, consider trying something different next time. Maybe a shorter trip or a different location will help.
Consider time alone versus time with others. Everyone has different needs when it comes to time alone and time with other people. Try a little bit of each to see how they make you feel. Sometimes the rest you need may come from being solo. Other times, having the space to be with people you care about without the demands of daily life can be fulfilling.
Do what fills you up. What makes you feel rested? What do you enjoy that you wish you had more time to do? If you’re not sure, try a few things. Stay in a quiet place with a pool so you can relax or swim. Go to a busy hotel near great restaurants — but know you can also order room service. Drive through the mountains and find a spot to sit and pray.
Go for balance. Your vacation doesn’t need to be all or nothing. You can create a trip that offers exciting and even touristy things while still allowing for rest. It’s really up to you.
Why restful vacations matter
Taking a trip that provides time for rest is good for your body, mind and soul. When you disconnect from the busyness of your everyday life and leave space to rest, you make room for God to refresh you and refill you. You can then return to your everyday life feeling better able to do all that God has for you.
Copyright 2025 Rebecca Hastings. All rights reserved.
