I see R.E.S.T. a sacred contradiction in this crazy world. But I see it as invitation and not just obligation. And yesterday we started into what we call the rest model by looking at the R in rest, and that’s retreat. Jesus, the savior of the world, the man who by all measurements should’ve been the busiest person who ever lived, modeled retreat, by getting alone, and being with his father, often. and better yet gave his followers permission to retreat, reflect and withdraw to be with him.
So What happens in those moments of retreat? What happens whenever you peel away? What happens when you create intentional space to get alone, tune out all the other noise and lift your eyes and ears to the lover of your soul?
Well, what happens is you begin to fill up with something you so desperately need and begin to overflow into a world that’s so desperately longs for what you have received.
In mywork as the Director of Life Impact we interact with thousands of Christian leaders all over the globe. Pastors, missionaries, and Christian businessman and women are invited into homes of hospitality that are staffed by skilled coaches, who offer rest to weary souls. We have over 20 locations from Greece to Costa Rica and North Carolina to California filled with refreshing, renewal and restoration.
But I would say one of the biggest gifts that we can offer our guests, one of the things that weary leaders so long for is a beautiful word called encouragement.
If you’re a husband, a father, a business leader, there’s no doubt that you have experienced challenges this year. Whether it’s struggles with your spouse challenges with your children, health concerns, financial burdens or issues in the workplace, anxiety in a man’s heart, weighs it down.
We are in desperate need of encouragement. It’s OK to be in need! But because at times, we don’t receive encouragement in the home or in the workplace, our brokenness leads us to look for it in all the wrong places.
Some of us were raised in painful circumstances where affirmation and encouragement were withheld. Others of us might’ve been raised in environment, where encouragement and affirmation were only given if we could do something, make something or produce something.
Because of those painful circumstances, we may unnecessarily go hunting for encouragement and affirmation in dark places. As men, we have a deep longing to be desired, to be affirmed, and the need to be encouraged. Let me say this irregardless of your biology, irregardless of the environment you grew up in. you are a son of the most high God, even though you may have the capacity as a leader to produce great things, innovate new ideas, lead organizations, or generate strong quarterly results, your sonship and your heavenly fathers affirmation is not based on what you do.
When it comes to this idea of encouragement, let’s Start with your sonship first.
In the story recorded by Matthew it says.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of Goddescending like a dove and alighting on him.17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
That must’ve been an amazing moment and a powerful scene. But let me make a slight observation. God gave his affirmation and encouragement before Jesus had done anything, no miracles had been performed. No healings had occurred no mouths had been fed. God affirmed his son, gave him the Holy Spirit and encoraged him out his great love before Jesus had done anything worth noting.
As you may well know, Jesus then entered the desert, a time of temptation and testing. I wonder if those words of encouragement, and that voice of affirmation sustained m him through those 40 days.
When you and I were baptized, we were raised into new life, and those encouraging words of Sunship still ring true across the ages. We strengthen ourselves. In the Lord, we find joy in his presence, and we can find encouragement in being sons of the most high God.
When you take time to retreat, you will find encouraging words like these
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 34:4–5, 8
I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!