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A Vacation for Your Soul

Writer's picture: Phillipa WilliamsPhillipa Williams

Woman with glasses and eyes closed

You have got to slow down. Period.


You just have to.


But how can we?


We bow to our calendar.

Social media is our respirator.


Sleep with our phones.


We are all sleep-deprived,

vacation-deprived,

soul-deprived.


Something has to change. It just has to.


Finding Space


The closer I get each year to my annual vacation, the more my responsibilities always seem to grow. But I'm not the only one who sees it. Other people do, too. Every time (and I mean every time) I mention it to someone close to me they ask me questions like:


How many days are you going to work your vacation?


Are you taking your laptop with you?


Are you going to finally do something fun?


It has become a ritual.


The question is asked so much, this year I started to get offended.


Not by them. By me.


Rest is not a part of my reputation when it comes to vacations.


How is that possible? I am so obvious?


And if even others recognize how my body and mind are being deprived, what does that mean for my soul? This year has to be different. I have to find space to rest. And so do you.


A Vacation for Your Soul


Spiritual. Social. Mental. We hear a lot about retreats in the summer. But have you looked at the prices? You have to make ready to get access to that level of respite. In other words, you have to work to get the rest.


The same applies with your spirit.


As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God. ~Psalms 42:1, The Living Bible

If I want to truly embrace what retreat provides, I have to put in the work now and start creating space.


Vacation does not start when I get on the plane, but when I fall to my knees.


It begins with my soul.


For weeks, I've been searching for simplicity in my prayers so I went back to the "OG"; The Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23. Both scriptures I know by heart from childhood, but reading the words from my BIG LETTER BIBLE made them come alive again. It is then I realized that Psalms 23 is more of a praise report than a prayer.


It is an affirmation of how God cares for each of us personally...


The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ~Psalm 23:1, New International Version

how he positions us for retreat even when we are too hardheaded to do it for ourselves...


He makes me lie down in green pastures,... ~Psalm 23:2 NIV

how he creates the space for the peace we seek...


he leads me beside quiet waters,... ~Psalm 23:2 NIV

and intimately takes care of every one of us from the inside out.


he refreshes my soul. ~Psalm 23:3 NIV

Do you seek rest or an escape? No retreat, vacation, or staycation can give you the absolute rest of accepting God's eternal safety and shepherding of your soul.


Your Daily Retreat


It's the proximity in Psalm 23 that gets me!


Reading Psalm 23 every morning starts my day gives me an absolute certainty that there is one thing I can rest in now and for eternity... I am not alone.


It is so satisfying to wake excited about the psalm's reminder of how close God is to me. How he prioritizes my peace,

walks every path,

guides every step

when I submit to his shepherding power.


You do not have to leave home to find rest. God inhabits the praises of his people.


You want a great vacation? Me, too. But first and foremost, we need a Good Shepherd. Start your day with the ritual of retreat in Psalm 23 every morning.


The shift in perspective will give you the space

to get the rest,

get the answers,

get the Good Shepherd you need.


Because he always shows up.


Phillipa Williams Author and Blogger with logo

 

Are resting or just trying to escape? When is the last time you sought out the Good Shepherd? What do you do to get the rest from God you need? Let me know in the comments.


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About Phillipa

At seven years old, Phillipa Williams fell in love with Christ and never looked back. For over forty years, she has dedicated her life to building God’s kingdom, teaching and equipping thousands to serve God and people.

But God has always wanted more.

 

In 2019, as the Founder/CEO of GOD n Me International, she launched the blog godnme.org (now godnyou.org) to "give people something for the journey". Named one of the "Top 10 Black Christian Blogs, Websites, Newsletters To Follow“ by Feedspot.com for several years, godnyou.org help people all over the globe find the courage to answer God's call. 

 

In Spring 2022, Phillipa published her first book, GOD 'n You: Finding Your Place in Forever. and completed her licensing and ministerial requirements at the Potter's House School of Ministry in Dallas, Texas where she currently serves.

As an advocate for single mothers, Phillipa is also founder of ilooklikeLOVE, Inc.., a nonprofit providing capacity-building programming to women with young children. 

​

She is the proud parent on one adult son, Kenneth.

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GOD n Me International 

1301 E Parkerville Road, Ste A7 #1195

Desoto, Texas 75115

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