"Retreat"

Yesterday I said that in military language "retreat" means to run away from the battle.

 In spiritual language it means to get away from the routine, chaotic, business of daily life for the purpose of spiritual growth and reflection.  

 Even a day off can become a "retreat."  Today was my day off and it was a great retreat from the routine tasks of pastoring:  Writing, calling, preaching and so forth.  It is an important part of the rhythm of my life that keeps me healthy.

 The Sunday Courier had a good article about how kids need down time: time to just be a kid and do kid things.  None of us would want to be committed 18 hours a day; day after week after month. We all need days off.  We all need days away.  We all need time apart.

 Bishop Reuben Job suggested an hour a day, a day a month and a week a year set aside for God.  Now, that may not seem particularly doable in your case, but the point is we all need to do something!

 If you haven't had a day away for a while it is time to do it!  Lent is the prayer retreat is a great option.  It is scheduled in the very near future, (March 7) is affordable ($5 suggested donation) and you can do it with friends.  If for whatever reason you are unable to attend the retreat, you still need to carve out a time away for yourself.

 1.       Clear a day, an evening, an afternoon, a long lunch; whatever you can manage is better than nothing.

 2.       Spend some time in silence.  God speaks in the still small voice and most of us live such chaotic, noisy lives we have a hard time hearing over the din of our daily existence.

 3.       Spend some time in the Bible.  God speaks to us in the experience of the saints of old. 

 4.       Spend some time in prayer.  There is no more powerfully renewing activity than sitting at the feet of Jesus, basking in his love and marinating in his grace.

 Spring is customarily the time when the trees and plants and animals that have been hibernating or dormant all winter; retreating from the rigors of photosynthesis. Begin anew a season of growth and fruit bearing.

 Lent is traditionally a time of sacrifice.  It is a time when Christians have usually given something up. It is a Let me encourage you this lent to give up tine. . .  give up the need and desire to control how the time you have been given will be spent.  Give up the wall to wall, 24/7 programming for the sake of your spiritual health.

 tp