Traveling and vacations do allow us an opportunity to take a break from our routines and hopefully relax and recharge from the everyday grind of work, school, home, etc. This applies to pastors and ministry leaders as well. The challenge for me (and I'm sure others) is continuing to carve out daily time with the Lord while on vacation. I am grateful for the Gideon Bibles that are found in hotel nightstands; a remaining bastion of light that has touched millions of lives and hasn't been squelched in the name of political correctness.
Even though I travel with my own Bible, I always leaf through the Gideon Bible in my hotel room to see if anyone wrote in any interesting comments. Almost always someone does. I've seen comments from hardcore atheists, doubting agnostics, uncertain inquisitors, rock-solid believers and everything in-between. What I don't see are torn out pages; as if even the non-believers fear what would happen if they damaged a copy of God's Word.
My most recent vacation led me to these words found written in the Bible in the nightstand: "I passed this way on my earthly journey. I believe that Jesus is 'the' answer. He has helped me through the good times and the bad times. He loves you." Words plainly said, yet powerfully true. Words that may have already encouraged someone to dig in a little deeper and learn about this man named Jesus who died so that we may live.
The Bible in the nightstand is a reminder to me that God is always right there with us; even when we ignore Him. Even when we are too busy to stop and spend time with Him. He waits for us patiently and desires to speak to us and encourage us; both home and away because he never leaves us or forsakes us.
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