BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR LEAVE OR VACATION
Some people would want to work and work and even work during the time they are supposed to be on leave or vacation because of huge workloads. For some other people, the main purpose for not going on leave or vacation is because of some available allowances. Leave or vacation gives the body some rest and rejuvenate it for better performance. Without going on vacation, one is disadvantaged. What is the bible’s perspective on vacation or leave or is there biblical support for leave or vacation?
The importance of vacation or leave cannot be overemphasized. The Almighty God, after creating the whole universe in six days rested from all His work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it (Genesis 2:3) implying that the seventh day is a special day for rest. The Lord was refreshed when He rested on the seventh day (Exodus 31:17). By extrapolation, people get refreshed when they rest. If for every week of the year, rest is important, then for some number of years, vacation or leave is important.
The bible also demonstrates the importance of rest for agricultural lands. “And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: but for the seventh year, thou shalt let it rest and lie still; …. in like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard ” (Exodus 23:10-11). In agriculture, there is a phenomenon called ‘fallow period-’ a period where no crops are planted on the farm to enable the farm to rest and regenerate itself. During the fallow period (which is usually not up to six years), pest and disease cycles are disrupted for the future benefit of the farm and farmer. One can see that fallow period has its roots in the bible. The bible also prescribes rest for animals used on a farm (Exodus 23:12).
Although vacation is very important, sometimes it becomes very necessary to forfeit it but this practice should be controlled. We should be able to justify beyond all reasonable doubts why we may not go on leave or vacation. Jesus made a statement in Matthew 12:11 “and He said unto them, what man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?”. From the statement of the master, it is inferred that one can work during the period of rest or vacation depending on the case in hand, however, the work has to be limited. Let us ensure that everything is in order for us to go on leave or vacation, although, it may become very necessary sometimes to forfeit our leave or vacation but this should not become a routine. Our bodies are the temples of God and need rest for fitness purposes. Without rest or vacation, our bodies are prone to stress and other infirmities. Indeed, the biblical support for leave cannot be overemphasized.
