Vacations Are Not Vacations from Serving Jesus Christ

         Over the Columbus day weekend, I traveled out to west Tennessee and northern Mississippi by motorcycle.  Along with me were four of my brothers in Christ.  Although the trip was recreational, and a break from the routine of work, it was not a break from the practice of our faith. 
        We stayed at Camp Linden in Linden Valley, Tennessee, and had a great time of fellowship with some of the men who were on a spiritual retreat from a church in Savannah, Tennessee.  Wherever we stopped for a meal we bowed our heads to give thanks.  At a motorcycle rally at Shiloh, Tennessee, we met wonderful Christian men, including a gentleman who was 87 years young, and still riding his motorcycle around the country.  He was quick to share his faith in Jesus without embarrassment or hesitation.
        At the Shiloh Battlefield, I started a conversation with a Viet Nam vet, who had returned from Viet Nam immersed in alcoholism and depression.  The Lord had saved him many years ago, and we enjoyed sharing our testimonies with each other.  I was truly blessed to meet all of these people who serve the same God, and who are not ashamed of their faith.
        In Corinth, Mississippi, we ate lunch at Boroum’s Drug Store on the downtown square.  By the way, the chocolate malts were worth the trip, and we spent the afternoon at the Shiloh Battlefield.  We were reminded of the sacrifices that were made by the men and women of the Civil War era, in shaping the nation in which we live.  When we think of the hardships and suffering of those who lived through Shiloh, and those who died there, it makes us hesitant to complain about any situation we may face.
        Riding a motorcycle always allows me to meet people I would not otherwise meet.  If you are driving, it is unusual that anyone will talk with you when you stop for food or gas.  But if you stop in a restaurant, or filling station on a motorcycle, it is easy to begin a conversation.  Often those conversations lead to an opportunity to share your faith.  I am always amazed at how the Lord can use a simple interaction to remind people of His love, and invite them to come to faith in Him.  On motorcycle rides, I have found myself counseling with men who have lost their wives, men who are enduring physical illness, and men who are spiritually lost.  I don’t go looking for them, but I try to stay open to being used by the Lord whenever possible.
        Because of the risks involved in motorcycling, it is easy to remember to pray without ceasing.  On long trips, I always have time for extended conversations with the Lord, and I’ve often been deeply blessed by those experiences.  Our group of riders always prays for safety and God’s mercy when we ride, but we also pray for opportunities to share our faith with others.  God is at work in our world, and we should never forget that Christians don’t get time off.  Every contact and every activity of our lives can give us opportunities for service and for witness.  Don’t miss those chances; they can lead to some of our richest experiences, and to many new friendships.  The truth is, the Lord never leaves us; we should never forget His presence.