In Genesis chapter 2 it is recorded that, "God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
However, many Christians find it hard to take that well deserved rest even when it comes to holiday time.
In Ephesians chapter 5 Paul writes "Be very careful how you live" making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
We are living in the last days and there is an urgency to do the work that God requires of us in this time: building up the Christian community, sharing the gospel with the world and living God's way.
In this week's feature, four Christian men involved in different aspects of ministry each share how they seek to find a balance in obeying God's commands both to work and to rest.
The right balance
Mark Hadley, manager of Your.sydeyanglicans.net believes the mature Christian life should model generosity in all areas.
"As a Christian you need to learn to tithe completely. It begins with money but there are other aspects of your life like time, relationships and skills which you can also give in the service of the kingdom," Mr Hadley says.
"When my family looks at our holidays we view them the same as our pay packet. We try to be generous."
David Mitchell, who has just completed a Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics at Wollongong University, says students should be productive with their ample time off.
"The three months off over summer can easily include far too much sleep, computer games, TV and movies," he says.
"While not advocating anything in particular I think Christians should aim to be productive while relaxing. For example, building relationships is important so invite your friends or family over for a BBQ. I also really enjoy reading good Christian books so that is both relaxing and edifying for me."
The Lord of holidays
The rector of Brighton/Rockdale Anglican Church, the Rev Ian Cox says the whole of life should come under the authority of the Lord Jesus, including holidays.
"I have just returned from CMS summer school where many people have used part of their holidays to be refreshed by hearing God's word and having their children looked after as well as being challenged about mission work," he says.
"Sometimes I am disappointed when I hear of Christians travelling overseas and never really thinking about how they can be encouraged by attending a good Bible teaching church."
The Rev Stephen Shearsby, assistant minister at St Paul's, Menai says there should be no collision between juggling ministry and holidays.
"I think the main thing is to be doing something with your annual leave that is not ‘work’. It should be something that refreshes you," he says.
"One of the challenges I always have is to not lose sight of the important Christian disciplines of regular personal prayer and Bible reading. Your relationship with God is the only "obligation' I can think of that Christians should observe."
Putting it into practice
Mr Hadley aims to spend half his annual leave leading and speaking on camps, or serving on missions.
"It's not just going on these missions and serving others that is important. It's also a matter of modelling service to my kids. As they see mum and dad care about these things hopefully they'll grow up valuing them themselves," he says.
Mr Mitchell, who will be commencing the Ministry Training Strategy at Wollongong University with AFES in 2007 has used his university holidays in recent years to assist in short term missions.
"Visiting St Bartholomew's in Crookwell as part of the National Training Event has meant building some really good relationships and seeing the church grow over the past year. We have had the opportunity to really see God work there," he says.
However, Mr Hadley believes it's "incredibly unhelpful' to view a mission trip as a holiday and serving God at the same time.
"I spend four hours a day preparing a talk for the team the next morning and in my remaining time I help others with their talks or prepare the Sunday sermon or watch my toddlers in the pool. You certainly don't go for a holiday," he says.
Guilt-free rest
Mr Shearsby says church leaders must do their best to encourage Christians to find the right balance of Christian work and restful holidays.
"I am amazed by how much some Christians are willing to serve Christ on top of their weekly lives and jobs. It's easy to forget they have homes to go to. Those of us in full time ministry need to encourage them to rest properly," he says.
"If you are going to look after your family and your own health you should avoid situations where your holiday could easily merge with a ministry role, for example, using CMS summer school for annual leave."
Mr Cox believes Christians should feel no guilt about enjoying a purely relaxing holiday.
"I do not find it hard to get a balance between ministry and resting during holidays for I see holidays as part of God's work in me of being refreshed," he says.
Mr Hadley agrees that Christian families need to set boundaries so they can properly enjoy time away together.
"My family is unashamedly selfish about those weeks where we really take a break. No one should be "guilt-tripped' into spending their annual leave in a certain way."
What are your thoughts on how Christians use their holidays? Are short term mission trips just "holy holidays'? Do Christians have an obligation to use their annual leave in a particular way? Are Christians good at getting rested and refreshed? Stephen Shearsby will be facilitating discussion of these topics in the Holy Holidays discussion forum.
