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who needs them?
Why Are Retreats Necessary?
Have you ever given any thought to the
fact that in order to understand and appreciate someone or something, you must
take time to know them? People, works of art, literature, music, and even the
glories of creation, seldom yield themselves to the casual observer. We must
purposely slow our pace, narrow our focus, and become attentive in order to
experience the joy of appreciation and understanding.
This
is certainly true of our relationship with God. Unless we purpose to seek
him, we will miss the marrow of life. David understood this truth.
Listen as he speaks in Psalm 63.
“
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek
thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty
land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee
in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall
praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in
thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth
shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and
meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help,
therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard
after thee……”
David explains that his soul earnestly
desired to know the living God. His desire was as a thirst, which his world
could not satisfy. So he tells us that the only thing which could relieve his
deep quenching was to seek God because His lovingkindness was better than life
itself. He goes on to proclaim that in knowing God and His lovingkindness, his
soul would be satisfied with marrow and fatness.
Taking time to focus on God and our relationship
to Him, in the midst of the “hurry” of life, is called personal retreat. The
dictionary defines “retreat” as a drawing back, a withdrawal to a safe or
private place; a period of seclusion, especially one devoted to religious
contemplation away from the pressures of ordinary life.” Some in our modern
religious communities would rather use the word, “advance.” Whatever your
terminology, getting away with God is truly necessary.
The horticulturist prepares geraniums by first
exposing them to their ultimate harsh outdoor environment in pots. As the wind
dries them out, they are brought indoors and sprayed with water to give them a
chance to recover before putting them outside again. Eventually they will ready
to be planted permanently outdoors.
In personal retreat, a more favorable climate
for spiritual growth and health exists. We temporarily withdraw from the drying
winds, baking sun, and freezing nights of a world that by nature is hostile to
spiritual life.
There are those who seem uncomfortable with the
idea of personal retreat, especially in light of the great needs and
opportunities for service around them. But it is precisely because of these
needs and opportunities that a personal retreat is needed. Jesus himself showed
us that before and after he met the people and their enormous needs, he was
compelled to take time to seek His Father, not only for guidance but also to be
revived and strengthened. His life illustrates the perfect life: one of retreat
followed by intense involvement in the world.
Jesus summed it up when He said, “(he) shall
go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9b) Note the two
distinct calls: Go & Come. He sends us to a needy world in His name, and He
calls us to draw near that He might reveal Himself to us and through us.
It has been suggested that a fast-paced life is
an opiate. The activity and pressure provides the adrenaline that causes us to
believe all is well because we think we are thriving on the frenzy. It is not
until our motor stalls that we face the sobering reality that all that busyness
has sapped us of spiritual vitality.
We are commanded in the book of Hebrews, to
enter into His rest, the rest prepared for us. Rest in scripture actually
signifies a state of spiritual health and well being, not an escape from
nothingness.
A personal retreat is taking time to break the
intensity of activity, to slow down, to replenish, to regroup, to revitalize, to
meet with the living God and delight in Him.
What A Retreat Will Do For You
1. EXTEND
your fellowship with God: As with any personal relationship, fellowship is
nurtured by spending time together. God announces he is always ready to meet
with you. He takes special note of times when His people reverence Him and
think upon His Name. " Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to
another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was
written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his
name.” (Mal 3:16)
2. ENLARGE
your perspective: Spending time with God, hearing His Word, worshipping in
spirit & truth, praying for deeper understanding, will allow you to see
circumstances, people and things from God’s perspective. He will allow us
vision to see the unseen, and the tangible things of life will fall into their
proper place. He will even strengthen our spiritual defenses. All of this is
only possible when “we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the
things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians
4:18)
3. ENGAGE
in intercessory prayer: How often in the “hurry” of life do we forget to pray.
So often opportunities are lost to see the hand of God move. There are
unbelieving friends and relatives, missionaries, neighbors, government leaders,
pastors who need your prayers. Christians can see God influence people and
change events as they pray.
4. EXPAND
your relationship with fellow believers: Its when we take time to be with
fellow believers on men’s retreats or women’s retreats that we become involved
in their life. We are given an opportunity to encourage them, comfort them,
hear through them, pray for them, love them as never before. One on one.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
(Heb 10:25)
Why not consider taking the time to get away
with God. If your church doesn’t have a formalized retreat program, why not
speak to your pastor. Most pastors are usually waiting for someone to take the
initiative and suggest it. It could be the start of an incredible spiritual
journey.
When it time to choose a retreat center,
we would like you to consider ours, Shiloh Retreat Center.
Shiloh
Christian
Retreat Center
220 Madison Ave. West
P.O. Box 499
New Baltimore, NY 12124
518-756-2088
www.shilohretreatcenter.com
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written by
Pastor Edward Rizzo
Music Playing: "O Lord, You're Beautiful"
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