In light of your busy schedules, what do you think of when I say the word retreat? For some of you there is a visceral reaction. you have images of sitting around a campfire, holding hands and telling your deepest feelings. Others of you may have visions of a corporate retreat yet another day away from family and friends to work on work because 40 or 50 or even 60 hours a week isn’t enough to get the job done. Still others may balk at the word retreat, because it sounds too much like surrender or fleeing from a difficult challenge.
We may turn our noses at the word retreat, because we’ve never been given permission to withdraw and reflect. It’s never been a high priority.
But Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, often withdrew to lonely places. I used to ask people. What do you think often means in the Greek? And after some stumbling around, I would simply tell them that it means often. That it was a regular part of Jesus ministry while he was here on earth. There was so much to get done, this was a guy on mission to save the world and yet Jesus took time to retreat withdrawl and reflect And better yet, he gives you and I as followers, permission to do the same
I love the book of Mark. In my mind a man’s gospel. It’s fast, action packed and gets right to the point. it doesn’t have the genealogy of a Matthew or the precision of a physician like Luke, or the slow intimacy of a man like John.
But yet tucked away in the book of mark, in the six chapter in the midst of an intense action packed moment is Jesus giving clear permission to his disciples to retreat, withdraw, and reflect with Him.
Listen to the way, Mark records this moment
“The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught.”
These guys were pumped! God was obviously at work and they were doing incredible things for the kingdom. If I was in that moment, I would’ve probably been thinking we’ve got a strike while the iron is hot. We’ve got to keep going keep making and keep producing, because obviously God is at work! Let’s go!
But look at Jesus response :
Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.”
Mark 6:30-31 MSG
Wait, what? I thought the end was near! Who needs to eat?
I thought the good news needed to be spread. I thought Jesus would affirm our busyness and tell us to keep going. I mean will get all the rest we need when we’re dead, right?
But that’s not the way gods kingdom works, that’s not the way Jesus modeled rhythms and that’s not what the Holy Spirit is inviting us into today
As leaders, we often have a High action bias. We get stuff done. But as followers of Jesus first, we need to also have a strong, reflective bias. we need to model retreat well. Yes, I know you’re busy, yes, I know it’s almost the end of the quarter, yes I know there’s so much to be done. But when we peel away from the noise to retreat, withdraw and reflect we are consciously surrendering to God‘s will for our lives. We are intentionally quieting our hearts, slowing down and growing our dependence upon him for provision. We are creating space to simply be with God. We are becoming a sacred contradiction in this crazy world.
Practically speaking, that retreat, can look like any number of things. It may be slipping away for an early morning walk while listening to your Bible. It may be sitting in a comfortable quiet, space and reading God’s word and reflecting for yourself. It may mean setting aside a few days each quarter to simply go away, slow down and unhurry your soul. It may mean longer stretches of getting away by yourself or with your spouse to reconnect with God, each other and reflect on all the good that God has done.
I’ll end with this. Retreat may be incredibly difficult at first, and seems somewhat counterproductive. But isn’t that the way God‘s kingdom often works? The last will be first, you have to lose your life to find it. But if you intentionally schedule retreat, either daily, quarterly or annually as a part of accepting the invitation to rest, you will better your lives, strengthen your relationships, and see God do exceedingly abundantly above, all that you could ask or imagine. His grace is with you and he is giving you permission to take up the invitation to rest with him.