They say the government has partially shut down for who knows how long. Some government employees are working as usual, some are working without paychecks for the time being, and some are calling in sick or doing what they can to make the best of it. If you are one of those affected, it might even be a good time to take the vacation of a lifetime, especially if you have a lot of vacation time built up. Just gather up some travel brochures, take them home, get a calculator out, and figure out where to go and how many days to take off.

The process goes like this: add the time needed to get to your destination to the number of days it takes to do and see everything on your list. Subtract from the number of vacation days you have coming. Add at least three more days for jet lag, travel delays, and trying to get your email, message app, and Facebook to work on your phone. Divide into the amount you have in your vacation fund. Add the balance of your credit limit, and then divide again.

Next, count up the number of relatives you can visit along the way to, from, and/or at your destination. Subtract the total number of days you can get free meals and lodging from them. Take that total and either add it back into your vacation fund or add it to the number of days you can take off from your job.

When you get the answer to that, casually mention your dream vacation within range of your cell-phone or computer. Suddenly, ads for vacation destinations, rental cars, luggage sales, vacation cottage rentals, hotel ads, cruise line deals, tour group companies—maybe even Rick Steves himself—and travel agencies will be bombarding you with ideas and ways to save more money than you had ever planned to spend on your vacation.

Consider your choices carefully. Spending all that money and keeping track of your list of things to remember while having a wonderful time is no laughing matter. Pack your bags, the children’s bags, Grandma’s bags, weigh the luggage, then take out about half the items. Repack. Find a place for the dog and cat to stay, load up the van, drive to the airport, and that’s when you learn that all flights are cancelled because the TSA agents called in sick. Sop up children’s tears and promise them a trip somewhere sometime.

Drive to nearest relative’s house. They are walking out their door carrying their suitcases. They pause while you inform them of the situation, then they follow you home. You unpack, buy more groceries because your relatives have decided to stay at your house for several days. Sit on the couch and watch political commentating on TV.

You call your boss and beg to come back to work the next morning. You walk in to your place of employment recalling now why you haven’t been taking all your vacation in the first place. Relaxed and re-energized with a new appreciation for your job, you’re glad to be back. It’s true, you realize, taking an annual vacation is important because it certainly does you a world of good!

OR you can go to church on Sundays and find spiritual refreshment for your soul and a Sunday morning breakfast or an after-church fellowship meal for your nourishment and social refreshment.

This Sunday Rev. Brown’s sermon from Mark 4:35-5:1 was titled “The Other Side of the Storm.” We face all kinds of storms in life. In this passage of scripture, Jesus had been teaching the growing multitudes of people who gathered along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. That evening, He told the disciples that He wanted to cross over to the other side.

They set sail while Jesus went to sleep in the stern of the boat. A storm blew in. The waves rose and the wind blew and the boat was filling with water. Forgetting the miracles they had witnessed, the disciples anxiously woke Jesus up.

He spoke to the storm and the wind ceased. The sea became calm again.

Like us, Elijah, David, and Jonah, to name only a few people in the Bible, were confronted by storms. In each case, God provided provisions for them and led them to get back on track to accomplish their purpose.

Even when we have been disobedient like Jonah, God does not forsake us. In Jonah’s case, He provided a great fish to get Jonah back to where he could go warn the people of Nineveh. God’s purpose will not be prevented.

Elijah dealt with depression, and David had good reason to fear for his life. God did not turn His back. He had a purpose in mind for them, and He helped them get to the other side of their storms so that their purpose was accomplished.

Notice that Jesus, knowing His mission was across the sea on the other side of the storm was not afraid and He had great faith. Therefore, He was getting some rest while the storm raged.

Whatever storm you are facing, Jesus says to fear not, to have faith. The storm may be there to strengthen you, strengthen your faith, and get you to a better position to accomplish His purpose for your life. Whatever the cause of the storm, trust Jesus to get you past it and on track to be a part of accomplishing His mission.