Revive and Restore

(And Maybe Ride Space Mountain Too)

Let’s be honest—summer ministry is no joke. It’s camps, late nights, early mornings, worship sets, mission projects, and snack wrappers everywhere. If you’re like me, you love it. You’re here for it. But it also drains the tank a little.

That’s why I look forward to this time of year. Every summer, after all the wild and awesome ministry stuff wraps up, I set my sights on a trip that fills me back up. Sometimes it’s the mountains. Sometimes it’s Universal. But more often than not, it’s Disney. That’s my place to hit pause, breathe deep, and restore.

Psalm 23:3 says, “He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.”
That part about restoring the soul? That’s real. We’re not meant to just run, run, run until we crash. God wants us to rest, so we’re strong enough to keep going. It’s not just about slowing down—it’s about recharging so we can hear His voice again, walk His path again, and do it with joy.

And it’s not just about me—it’s about my family too. These trips remind me how important it is to just be with the people I love. Ministry is amazing, but sometimes my wife and kids need me to be Dad first—not Pastor, not Worship Director, just Dad. Jesus modeled this too. Even in the middle of His ministry, He’d pull away with His closest friends. Mark 6:31 says, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”

That’s basically Jesus saying, “Hey, let’s grab a churro and take a break.”

So here’s the thing—I’m not telling you to book a Disney trip (though if you do, let me know and we’ll compare notes on best snacks). But I am saying: find your thing. Find what revives you. Maybe it’s fishing. Maybe it’s hammocking in the backyard. Maybe it’s movie night with your family, phones put away. Whatever it is, do it on purpose.

We serve better, love better, and lead better when we’re restored. God doesn’t need us to run on empty. He wants us rested, renewed, and ready for the next thing He’s calling us to.

So what’s your Space Mountain moment? What helps you exhale, smile again, and reconnect with God and the people who matter most?

Take time to revive and restore.
You’ll be better for it—and so will the people around you.