Sunday 8 August 2021

Staycation or holiday? Either way we need it




About 10 years ago now a new word entered the English language It was “Staycation”. The 13th edition of Chambers Dictionary (published in 2014) defines Staycation as “a period of holiday spent at one’s home”. And over the last year or so a lot of people have been having a staycation as it’s not proved possible to go away. But this year, as restrictions relaxed people started to use “staycation” in a different way meaning taking a holiday in this country. Is it me, or isn’t going on holiday in this country just going on holiday?

I think what reporters meant was that people couldn’t go abroad for a holiday so were having to stay in this country for holiday. I must admit I got cross about this – not so much about using “staycation” in a different way to its dictionary definition, but because the suggestion that going on holiday in this country was some how second best.

Over the years with my family, I’ve enjoyed a few holidays abroad but I’m aware that for many people a foreign holiday is still a dream and in fact any kind of holiday is treat.

That said, a holiday of some kind whether a staycation, in this country or abroad is important. For a holiday provides us with much needed rest. IN the account of Creation in the Bible we are told that after God had created the world, on the seventh day he rested (Genesis 2:2). Hardly surprising!

The story teller’s point is the importance of rest. And for the Jewish faith, and subsequently the Christian faith a day of rest, a Sabbath Day, has always been part of our faith.

But we see in Jesus’ ministry times when he needed rest and solitude

IN Matthew 14: 22 – 23, after Jesus had fed the five thousand, he left the crowds and the disciples for a time of solitude and prayer. In Mark 6: 30 – 32 he said to his disciples:  Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So, they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place”. And in Mark 7:24 we are told “Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet He could not keep His presence secret” Even Jesus wearied of constant contact with other people – just as we can – and need some time to himself.

Taking a break isn’t always easy. We may not be able to afford it. We feel guilty. We replay all those things we should be doing. But we must make time for rest. As followers of Jesus, we try and live our lives by modelling his life as best we can. Therefore, if Jesus had a staycation, then so should we.

 This blog was written for the website of the website of the North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit https://www.northwiltsmethodistcircuit.org.uk/welcome.htm

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