IT'S TIME TO RETREAT

Webster’s Dictionary defines retreat in the following ways: 

·        In military terms, it is a withdrawal from a position, especially when forced by enemy attack

·        To withdraw to a safe or private place

·        A safe, secluded or quiet place

·        A period of retirement or seclusion, especially one devoted to religious contemplation away from the pressures of ordinary life

At this particular time in my life, I am desperately in need of a retreat – in all the ways Webster’s defines it!

It’s only mid-May, a good month away from the end of a busy church ministry year, and I’m thoroughly depleted - emotionally, physically and spiritually.  I’ve seen the signs for a while – difficulty getting going, especially for nighttime ministry.  A lack of motivation and enthusiasm, passion spent; once clear vision for ministry, now blurred.  I’m overwhelmed with exhaustion, wanting to just sit under my tree, surrounded by spring geraniums and just BE.

I “heard” the Lord speaking to me about this several times in the last few months in the midst of the craziness of activity that has been my life.  He reminded me that doing things FOR Him mattered less than being WITH Him.  I heard Him, but I was just too busy to stop all that “doing” and draw closer.  I indulged in the pride of believing that I was too valuable to His work to slow down now.  After all, I reasoned, “If I don’t do this, who will?”

I thought, “As soon as this event is over, I’ll be able to slow down.”  Not so.  One event was followed by another, with some new ones added to the mix that I hadn’t seen coming, and suddenly there was no light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  Just thinking about the relentlessness of it all added to my exhaustion.  Overwhelmed, overburdened, overstretched – I found myself retreating – in the military sense in which Webster’s defines it:  “withdrawal from a position, especially when forced by enemy attack”.

The “enemy”, sent I believe by a loving Heavenly Father who always knows what’s best for me, was illness.  A double whammy of infections made me feel miserable and physically exhausted.  It has lasted for two weeks.  As if that wasn’t enough, the medications I was given added to the mix, messing with other medications I routinely take, leaving me fuzzy minded and drained, until I was really no good to anyone.  So I HAD to do it.  I HAD to stop, and stop I did.  Full stop.  Retreat FROM all that activity – which stood like an enemy at the gate of my heart, threatening destruction.  The Lord came to my rescue, just in the nick of time.

In just a couple of hours I’m retreating in the other senses in which Webster’s defines “retreat”.   I’m heading off to Pennsylvania, to a retreat center on the banks of the beautiful Delaware River to:

·        Withdraw to a safe and private place

·        A safe, secluded and quiet place

·        For a period of retirement and seclusion, especially one devoted to religious contemplation away from the pressures of ordinary life

There I will join with other women who share my faith in Jesus.  We’ll worship together, be fed from God’s Word, rest in the Lord, renew friendships – and especially, contemplate the goodness and faithfulness of our God away from the pressures of our otherwise ordinary lives.

There I fully expect the Lord to wrap me in the comfort of His presence and administer His grace and rest.  There I fully expect to “hear” His voice, communicating what’s on His heart for my heart. 

What perfect timing for a retreat.  Thank you Lord.