Spring Break(out)

Next week is Spring Break and I will face a montage of decisions: discard an old wardrobe, pick up toys from the floor, unload the dishwasher, clean out the gutters, mow the lawn, straighten up the garage. And the list goes on.

The tension is not which chore to do first. The tension is to work or play. Stay home or travel. Get callouses from work or seeing the sights of new foliage.

"Travel" sounds so appealing and "work" sounds, well, too much like work.

So, what is the purpose of Spring Break?

Here's one suggestion. See the spring, Spring Break, as an opportunity to 'break-out.' Break out of the shell of your own indulgences. Break out of the shackles of self-destructive behaviors. Break out of the string of lies you have come to believe about your past, present, and even your future.

Paul wrote to the church of Colossae about this very idea of breaking out of the ruts and routines of selfish, immoral, and lackadaisical activity. He wrote, "If you have been raised with Christ, then seek the things that are above...Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth." He even created a laundry list of behaviors that we are to put to death in our lives (see 3:5-11). He was stressing this idea that we need to 'break-out.'

But, here's the key: You can't break out without also breaking in. Paul tells the Christians in Colossae to take off a list of behaviors so that they can now replace them with a more compelling view of God in His mercy. Three times he addresses the heart: put on a heart of compassion, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...with thankfulness in your hearts to God (3:12-16).

And he culminates this thought by saying, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (3:17).

So, what is the purpose of Spring Break? What will I be doing this week? While the list may or may not be completed, I will make an attempt to do all that I do in His name! Likewise, for you, whatever you do, whatever you say, whatever you think, let it be done according to His plan, in His name, and for His glory!