Pleasures

I love vacation.  I love to think about vacation. I love to plan vacation.  I love to research and anticipate vacation.  I am currently questioning whether I can ever justify going on vacation again.  It's not biblical, it's cultural. 

We live in a society that screams hedonism.  Enjoy the pleasures of life, relax, splurge, treat yourself.  Jesus actually said: die to yourself, take up your cross and follow me.  Nowhere in that book have I found any justification for the overwater bungalow on Bora Bora I would LOVE to stay in! 

We are on this earth for a temporary time with an eternal purpose.  We are to make disciples.  As we share God's love in words, we are also called to share it in action.  That is what the bible tells us to do.  We are to care for the poor, the widow and the orphan.  How can I justify spending thousands of dollars on vacation when there are children in my town, around the country and globally who have no parents, no food, no fresh, clean water.  That money could change hundreds of lives.  How can I enjoy it on a beach vacation?  If God returned while I was in Bora Bora would he look at me and say "Well done?"  I can't imagine he would.  Yes we are to rest, that is biblical.  But that is very different than indulging.  I think our family trips are going to be a whole lot more service oriented.  Still not sure what all of this looks like, but it's got me thinking....

Along those same lines, what about what we eat?  Yes, we can all eat out a little less and save a little money here and there, maybe with the intent of giving that money away.  But what right do we have to steak and shrimp when there are people starving?  Doesn't God say (1John 3:17) that if we have resources and we see someone who needs them and we don't use them, how can we have the love of God in us?  So I see need all around me.  If I don't use my resources for those needs, how can I claim to love God?  Yes we give some.  But shouldn't we give all.  Not just enough to feel good about ourselves?  Why not enough to actually hurt our comfort a little - or a lot?  What if we only ate beans and rice, enough to sustain life for our family and gave all the rest away to sustain life for 100's even 1000's of others?  Is this what we are called to do?  Or is it OK to enjoy that steak and shrimp every now and then?  This is me, grappling in His grip.