Zapped
I just started to read Invitation to Retreat by Ruth Haley Barton. She says it’s about the gift and necessity of time away with God. She is so right. I’m only in the introduction and I think I will end up underlining the whole book before I am done.
I don’t know if you have had a hard winter, but I have. Lots of dark grays. Sky, land, and the world within. Just cold and gray.
When I picked up this book, I got zapped.
Wilderness
I have been through wilderness experiences before; you’d think I’d recognize when I had entered one, for Pete’s sake. But instead, I just suffered through each whirlwind as they came. Imagine sitting out in the wind, your clothes whipping around you, your hair slapping your face. Um. Yep.
Things had to get better, right? Nope. They didn’t.
That’s the thing about the wilderness. It’s – well – wild. It’s where you can get lost, lose your bearings. Forget who you are.
Yet though it sure feels like we are alone there, we are not. Not ever.
In this time of wilderness, God just waits until we pay attention and notice Him. He is more than ready to rescue us, but He waits for us to invite Him into our wilderness.
Something Special
Ms. Barton talks about something special happening between God and us in the wilderness. He uses this time to stir up our deepest longings and draw us into intimacy with the God we are created for. She asks if we will allow this time to do the work in our hearts that will open the way to a deeper relationship with Him.
We want to.
Then she asks if we are brave enough to allow this time to carry us into the more.
Retreat
We might think of retreat as an event we attend. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. A retreat can be a simple sit in a chair time of staring out the window. We might consider this wasted time when we could be accomplishing something. Yes, that’s true. But our spirits will remain empty and gray.
What can you see out the window? What might God be stirring in your heart that is sitting still? Can you name it?
It’s okay to sit still. To be quiet. Stare out the window. Sense His presence. Hear His still, small voice in our spirit.
I think I might go sit by the river for an hour when the weather permits. Like on a regular basis. Stuff will get done. But sitting can’t really wait.
I’m looking for warmer, calmer days. How about you?
Invitation
Let’s pay attention this time. To words that are engraved everywhere and so familiar that we hardly see them. Earnest words. From a Heart that yearns for us. And arms held out waiting for embrace.
To all of us from Jesus, our Savior, Himself.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV).
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