Retreat!

As a pastor, there will always be a number of ideas rolling around in my head about every conceivable faction of my life. As a man we think about our responsibilities as workers, as husbands, as fathers, as homeowners – and we plan our approaches to each of these things whether we realize it or not. Much of this planning comes from our upbringing – if we were fortunate enough to grow up with a father figure in our lives, we will often pattern our behavior after theirs by either mimicking what we saw or trying to do the polar opposite.

When I was in seminary, the classes were full of all kinds of useful information about theology and history and Greek verbs…but I think the most valuable part of that experience was the classroom discussion. Consider that you are in a class with a dozen other people who are planning to do exactly the thing you are planning to do, and are at the exact same place professionally as you are, at least in most cases. The stories and insight into other people’s ministries helped me to know what to expect far more than any textbook could tell me, and they helped me to grow as a pastor perhaps more than the curriculum itself. 

This is why it is so important that we meet together – our ability to grow based on the experiences of others is a truly amazing part of the human condition. During the pandemic we did a fine job continuing to worship in terribly difficult circumstances, and now many churches are facing the challenge of getting people to come back to church when we just proved that even in isolation we can worship together. The face to face interaction – the drama, the politics, the real and genuine sharing of life between believers – if not always our favorite thing, is absolutely essential to our growth and maturity in Christ.

I know and understand this, even as introverted as I am. Yet one thing I heard time and time again during seminary was the need for retreat – the need to get away from noise and people and direct responsibility and spend time with God in silence and reflection. While this appealed to the side of me that loves being alone, I found it very difficult to actually do this in practice. Walking away from EVERYTHING – even for a couple of hours is not only difficult, but it feels unnatural. Our society thrives on information and sensory data – instantly and without a break. Everywhere you go there are sights and sounds and smells that are all designed to produce a specific effect in each of us, and they do a remarkably fine job doing just that.

But to retreat? Isn’t that what an army facing a losing battle must do? Does that mean I am surrendering to the power of all of the things vying for my attention? Doesn’t retreat follow failure? The actual reality is this: when you shut everything else out and are left only with your own thoughts and, hopefully, God’s voice – retreat will tend to feel like anything but failure.

Part of the requirements to be a deacon at our church involve retreat. Several of my seminary classes required retreats that we would then write about – causing us to not only experience the separation from the world, but to also reflect on it after the fact when we were back in the noise and urgency. During real retreat – a time where you specifically set aside time to speak to God and, perhaps more importantly, listen to God – your life is going to be affected. Whether you feel like anything profound has occurred or not, just the mere practice of being outside of the busy little lives we have built for ourselves will prove to be a balm for the soul.

This message is not just for the men – it is for everyone. We need to find rest for more than our bodies, and having the opportunity to connect with God in such an intimate way is rest for the soul. Besides that, it helps us to keep our priorities straight and corrects our perspective that has often been severely skewed by the world.

Perhaps it is time that you begin to tithe some of your time as well. We all feel the strain and sacrifice of tithing from our possessions, but even when times are tough that seems easier than giving our time to God. No matter what is happening in your life, whether things are good or bad or just status quo – I can tell you without question that you need to listen to God more. We all need it, and the posture is so out of the ordinary in modern life that we have to be extra intentional. Grab your Bible and a chair and head out to East Fork or Stonelick or anywhere that gives you a place apart from everything, and spend a morning praying and reading and listening. We are fighting every day – against our nature, against the enemy, against the barrage of everything. It is time we win by beating an intentional and solitary retreat.

As we sing on a regular basis:

Hide me now under Your wing
Cover me within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know His power in quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God