Retreat

As a good follow-up for yesterday's devotional on rest, today's reading focuses on retreat. Retreat is often thought of as a time where we go and stay up late, play a lot of games, have a lot of worship services and get our heads crammed full of spiritual advice. But retreat is traditionally time taken to be alone with God and to rest in His presence, putting aside all of the cares and concerns, the work and responsibilities, the stress and busy-ness, etc. of life. This is like going to a monastery and just relaxing and spending time with God for a few days. This kind of rest will recharge us to be able to go back to our work with more fervor and a renewed passion. God doesn't plan for us to get burnt out, he wants us to rest in him: "Be still, and know that I am God."

Reflection Questions

Q: Can you describe your desire to get away alone with God? What is your soul aching for?
A: With all of the assigned reading of the Bible, it is currently difficult for me to open up my Bible and not see it as homework or a chore. I want to have back the hunger and thirst for righteousness that I had before -- that intense desire that I had to be in God's presence and to meditate on His Word.

Q: How does simply being with God sound to you?
A: Just peachy. I think that I need to set apart a time every day to say no to my friends, put aside the homework and reading assignments, and just delve into the Word of God and rest in His presence.