Core scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Message: Ladies and gentlemen, it is here!  Spring Break is upon us.  Warmer weather.  Birds chirping.  Flowers appearing.  Greenness overtaking dismal brown.  The pounding of a basketball on the driveway.  Extra time with friends.  Family.  Maybe a vacation or an excursion.  Oh, what to do?  How to spend that glorious week of bliss!  My wife and I, the nerds that we are, actually printed off a weekly schedule and began penciling in our activities.  Just to make sure we were on the same page.  We are two days in right now, and even with the careful planning, we are discovering each day brings something new.

I do not know what you plan on doing, but I would like to provide you with some ideas.  The truth is that our Spring Breaks might all look a little different.  We all have to do different things.  See different people.  Complete different tasks.  Relax a bit.  Sometimes God might even give us a choice between two or three options that each glorify Him in different ways.  And if that option happens to involve watching your favorite March Madness team in action at the local Buffalo Wild Wings, by all means embrace it!  That being said, here are some ideas, each backed by scripture, on utilizing Spring Break to its fullest.

• Grow with God: Spring Break provides an awesome opportunity to find extra quiet time. Christ modeled this for us beautifully, retreating on a regular basis to seek God’s will.  Mark 1:35 states, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”  Get out that Christian book you have been wanting to read.  Dust off your journal.  Seek out a walking trail to quiet your heart and pray.  Put your headphones on and let a Christian song take you somewhere special.  Meet up with a fellow believer for accountability purposes.  The possibilities are endless!

 

• Projects: If you are staying home like me, Spring Break is the perfect time for knocking out a project around the house. The garage might need cleaning.  Paint that room you have been wanting to freshen up.  Seed the lawn.    Stop procrastinating, and get something done!  “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied” (Proverbs 13:4).  There is nothing like the fulfillment of seeing a task completed.  I suppose that means I should get off my blog, and scrub those shower floors.  Or do something with that pile of books by my bed.  Or do a deep clean in our basement to rid it of about 1,000 McDonald’s toys that we don’t need.  Meh!

 

• Hobbies: Now we are talking! I have been on a historical reading kick recently, devouring books like Night and Warriors Don’t Cry.  I might even sneak over to the golf course practice green to see if I still have the magic I once had.  And of course March Madness begins Thursday.  Just make sure you don’t root for Missouri.  I hear that is a sin.  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).  God gave us hobbies such as these so we can enjoy them; however, remember this: the moment any interest becomes more important in our lives than God, it becomes an idol.  Keep God first!

 

• Friends/family: This one is a no-brainer. Make time to see friends and family.  That quality time spent with loved ones will create memories to cherish.  Yesterday I brought a disabled friend of mine Sonic and sat down to eat and chat with him for a couple hours.  My boys have four playdates lined up.  Four!  My wife is seeing a church friend for lunch today.  (Now you see why we make that schedule, don’t you?) Proverbs 27:9b says that “the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”  Through it all, I will certainly carve out time for my folks, my wife, and my kids.

 

• Serve: Do you know a couple who just had a baby? Take them a meal.  Is there a neighbor who cannot rake leaves?  Time to dust off your rake.  Maybe you have wanted to give your time to a local homeless shelter.  Book them on your calendar for a few hours.  Jesus was a pro at servant leadership.  He constantly put others before Himself.  Mark 10:45 states, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Find someone that needs a little hand and serve them with a glad heart.

So, there you have it.  Five applicable ways to spend your time over Spring Break.  Whether you are traveling to a fun destination or experiencing your own stay-cation like me, devote yourself to prayer in order to communicate with God what He needs from you.  That, my friends, is good, acceptable, and perfect.

Challenge: Make use of your time over Spring Break.  Pray for guidance on what God needs you to do, then format your schedule around His needs, not yours.

Song application: “Thy Will Be Done” by Hillary Scott

I’m so confused
I know I heard you loud and clear
So, I followed through
Somehow I ended up here
I don’t wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of your plan
When I try to pray
All I’ve got is hurt and these four words

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done

Video application: I found a short video that brings up some impactful scripture concerning God’s will.  Check it out on the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiQglf_itmk.

Quote: “As much as you want to plan your life, it has a way of surprising you with unexpected things that will make you happier than you originally planned.  That’s what you call God’s will.” (unknown)

Bible story: Read the story of Jonah.  What happened to Jonah when he tried to do the opposite of God’s will?  How did turning back to Nineveh glorify God?  What area of your life are you struggling to do what God wants you to do?

Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for the possibilities Spring Break brings.  Lead me to do what You need me to do, discovering your perfect will.  Amen.