By Rev. Dr. Travis Guse 

I just got back from my happy place – Idaho. 

There’s something about those crisp mountain mornings, the smell of pine in the air, and the rhythm of my feet hitting the trail that brings my soul back to center. I had the gift of hiking in the Sawtooths, biking along the trails in beautiful Sun Valley, soaking my feet in the Wood River, reconnecting with family and friends, and attending this year’s staff alumni retreat at Camp Perkins, where I once served as a camp counselor during my college days. More than anything, I reconnected with God. 

It was more than a vacation. It was a sacred pause. 

Maybe you’ve had your own summer getaway already. Or perhaps you’re about to step into one. Either way, vacation isn’t just time off – it’s a God-given rhythm of rest and re-creation. To vacation is to “vacate” by stepping away from the everyday grind so that God can re-create something new in you: restored joy, renewed energy, fresh clarity, and a deeper connection to your calling. 

But let’s be honest – coming back from vacation can be hard. 

The inbox is full. The to-do list is long. That treadmill of responsibilities seems to be going faster than ever. If you’re like me, you know how easy it is to let vacation energy fade within 48 hours of being back. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Let me share a few post-vacation wisdom nuggets adapted from Debbie Green in Coaching World.  Here are five ways she suggests to keep that re-created energy flowing in your life and ministry long after the trip is over: 

1. Harness the Power of Reflection 

Before diving headfirst into the mountain of tasks, pause. Take 5 minutes. Breathe. Thank God for the moments of rest and joy you experienced. You could even journal a few highlights. 

Start your day, or your next team meeting, by sharing a recent win or a moment of God’s grace, instead of jumping straight into what’s broken or urgent. 

2. Recognize Accomplishments 

It’s easy to obsess over what’s next on the list. But instead, ask: “What have we already accomplished by God’s grace?” This simple reframing transforms your mindset from overwhelmed to empowered. You’re not starting from scratch – you’re building on a foundation already formed by faith and action. 

3. Set Intentions Using the Three P’s 

As you ease back into your rhythm, try setting one small goal in each of these areas of your life: 

• Personal – How will I care for my well-being this week? 

• Professional – What will I grow in or improve in my ministry? 

• Purposeful – What will I do to impact others meaningfully? 

This Three P’s Method keeps your soul centered, guarding your energy, and ensuring that the joy and peace you reclaimed on your vacation doesn’t get swallowed up by busyness. 

4. Reconnect at Work 

Joy is contagious – and so is burnout. Coming back from vacation is a great time to rebuild your workplace connections. 

Take time to share a funny vacation moment. Ask a teammate about theirs. Laughter, empathy, and shared stories renew the bonds that make ministry more than work- it makes it a community. 

5. Learn Something New 

Your brain loves novelty. And so does your soul. Sign up for that workshop you’ve been interested in. Dust off that leadership or biblical study book you’ve been meaning to read. Try something that stretches you. New learning awakens new neural pathways – and often new spiritual ones too. It’s a reminder that you are still growing, still becoming the person God has called you to be. 

Your post-vacation crash is not inevitable. You’ve been re-created by your time away. The challenge now is to live from that renewal, not in spite of it. 

So, what’s one small thing you can do this week to keep your vacation energy alive? 

Let’s keep choosing wellness together.