Retreat

Retreat!  It’s a word that a commanding army officer will yell out to his troops when the enemy is fast upon them.  Retreat!!!  Go back!!!

 

But what about if we use the word Retreat! in another sense.  Still the importance of  going away but with the intention of going forward.  Go away.  Be still.  And know that God is God!!

 

Retreat.  Going away.  Being still.  Sitting in the presence of God.

That’s exactly what we did in April, Barb and our seminary student who is well into her third year of a four-year study program.  Practicing good and intentional sabbath and retreat is important for all of us who follow Jesus.  Making space for regular and intentional sabbath takes discipline, and so we decided to mark off the 2 days in our calendars.  And retreat!

 

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God ~ the old hymn kept ringing in my ears as I took time to sit in the presence of God

 

We were exposed to two of the most glorious days of sabbath rest, long walking paths in any direction in the countryside, (or running, if that was your thing!).  Regular breaks for worship in the chapel, reading the Scriptures together, and sharing intimate details of how goes your walk were the ways we spent our days.  We laughed together, enjoyed fika together, prayed together, cried together, encouraged one another and took note of how God is at work in the lives of 7 church leaders from 5 different denominations in 1 city in southern Sweden.

 

By far, the coolest collection of Swedish Bibles and Bible study books I have ever seen!  The smallest one fit ever so nicely in the palm of my hand.  Privileged to have access to the Word of God ~

 

 

 

So many beautiful expressions of the cross ~

 

Sabbath.  Rest.  Retreat!  Let’s do it in the way God intended.  Go forward.  Go Away.  Be Still.  You’ll discover a new understanding of God being God.

 

And from the Hymn There is a Place of Quiet Rest ~ There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God.  A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God.