There once was a woman who taught a big Bible study with lots of other women. When summer came, she decided to take a complete break from God. No Bible reading, no prayer time, and no thinking about spiritual things for the entire summer.

When September arrived and it was time to start the Bible study again, she was shocked to discover that she felt more miserable than she had ever felt in her life! Taking a vacation from God had made her sad, grumpy, and empty inside.

Sometimes people think that “resting” means getting away from God, but that’s backwards! The psalmists in the Bible found that the best way to feel refreshed and energized was to spend MORE time with God, not less!

One psalmist wrote, “My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2). He also said, “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [elsewhere]” (Psalm 84:10). They discovered that being close to God was more fun and refreshing than any vacation!

David wrote, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). That means the most joy and the best fun come from being close to God!

If you’ve been feeling bored, grumpy, or empty lately, maybe what you need isn’t less time with God, but MORE time with Him!

Take Action: This summer instead of taking a break from God try taking a break WITH God! Set aside some extra time each day to read your Bible, pray, or just sit quietly and think about how much God loves you. Try reading a psalm each morning and see how it affects your mood for the rest of the day. Jesus said, “Come to Me...and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)—so let God be your summer refreshment!