We are right in the middle of vacation season.

By now, many of you have traveled to the beach, the mountains or some other destination for a few days of rest and relaxation. Others are preparing for their trip in the next few weeks.

But we all know that the summer soon will be gone. For those with children in school, that means the window of opportunity for taking a trip will be closed. So you have to make your plans quickly.

My wife and I recently returned from a short trip. We visited my dad part of the time, but we also ate in favorite restaurants and read books, and I managed to squeeze in a round of golf. It was fun.

But when we got back home, we began to wonder if the time away was worth it. There was grass to cut, a garden that needed attention, bills to pay and a home to clean. The dogs acted like they were offended that we would leave them, so we had to reconcile with them.

And I haven’t even mentioned the pile of work I found waiting on my desk in my office.

I have to admit that there are times when I wonder if a vacation is worth the effort. The time preparing for the trip and the time catching up afterward make that question quite relevant.

And then I stop and realize something: The reason why vacations can be so stressful is really quite simple. We are so busy that we have trouble slowing down. We believe that things will not be done unless we do them.

And then we read in the Scriptures: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Another way to translate that would be, “Cease striving, and know that I am God.” The Lord wants us to understand that the world does not revolve around us. We can take the time that we need to get to know him. We need to slow down long enough to build our relationship to him. The earth will not stop its revolutions if we sit still long enough to listen to the Lord.

That’s a hard lesson for me. I like staying busy. I like feeling important. But the Bible tells me to slow down and learn that what matters most is knowing and listening to God. There are things to do, that is for sure. But they will be better accomplished as we walk with the one who made us.

I challenge you to be still and know who God is. His presence can and will make all the difference in your life. He is waiting to hear from you.

The next move is yours.