When I hear the word, retreat, it conjures up a negative connotation. It feels like surrendering or reversing course due to some error in judgment. Webster’s first way of defining retreat is an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable. You see, doesn’t that seem a little cowardly?
If you read further into Webster’s explanation of what it means to retreat, you’ll find this: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director. I like that better.
In fact, we did just that, a couple of weeks ago. Invited by long time friends of Colleen’s, Tom and Karen, we headed to Virginia. To a lake, not too far from the Lynchburg area. Broom Tree Landing is a wonderful place for those in ministry or the pastorate to retreat. Not in the way Webster first defines it, but to sit in the presence of God, with great folks who love the Lord. Group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, and walking with the Lord in a safe and beautiful space in the great outdoors.
God met me there. He met Colleen there. We’re headed into a new season of ministry together with EBM. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are seeking to understand how to minister well as a couple and do so in exactly the way God has called us. To bring the good news, the gospel of healing available through Jesus Christ, to a broken world. That’s for all of us.
I want to encourage you to do the same. Retreat with Jesus. Get alone with Him and ask Him to be present and minister to you. We all need a time of respite and rest from a world gone mad. In my case, I sat with my journal and God took me back in time to reinforce my mission and strengthen me for the road ahead.
He’ll do just that for you as well.
And that’s the Memo.
Steve