“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
My husband and I attended a churchwide retreat this past weekend, which was a first for me. I’ve gone on several women’s retreats and plenty of spiritual retreats—and even a few silent retreats—but never a churchwide retreat with people of all ages and stages. I assumed it would be like the others: guest speaker, tight agenda, required reading, and self-reflection homework.
I was wrong.
There was no guest speaker. Our head pastor officiated, but she didn’t preach or teach. Instead, she led us through a time of reflection that pointed us to rest. We were given a booklet that contained a loose agenda, designated mealtimes, and a lengthy list of optional activities. The booklet came in a welcome bag filled with crucial items, such as candy, pens, tissues, and gum. Reading was available for anyone who brought a book from home or wandered into the well-stocked retreat center library. And forget about homework! Though our booklet provided some introspective questions for those of us who desired some direction, answering them was not required or even encouraged.
How was this going to work???
In the first chapter of the Book of Mark, we read, “That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed” (1:32). He heals them all, sending no one away. Then, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (1:35).
Later in chapter 6, Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs to heal and cast out evil spirits. When they return and report all they were able to accomplish, Jesus says to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (6:31).
When the work was complete, Jesus and his disciples rested. There was no agenda. No schedule. No guest speaker or homework. Just rest, which looks different for different people. That was what my churchwide retreat offered: an opportunity to find personal rest.
I don’t know about you, but I have a busy life. With so many things vying for my attention, I keep my cell phone close, and I stay on course by keeping a to-do list, a grocery list, a social calendar, and a media calendar. Unless I pencil in a time for play or reflection, it probably won’t happen. But it did this last weekend.
Far away from home, where cell phone connection was practically non-existent, I was able to find rest. I rest best in solitude while my husband rests best in fellowship with others. Both of us were satisfied.
Each morning about 100 of us ate breakfast together that none of us had to prepare. Then we gathered to sing praise songs and hear a brief word from our pastor. After participating in lively, yet thoughtful discussions in small groups with people we had never met before, the day was ours to enjoy. Some people did the zipline, others the ropes course. There were plenty of walking trails to choose from through the woods or along the shore. Those who didn’t want to be outdoors went inside to play a game, paint a picture, read a book, or take a nap. After dinner, which we didn’t have to cook, there were bonfires and s’mores, karaoke, and games. But none of this was required—just available. Everyone moved at a pace that felt right to them.
God did not create us to work non-stop. He placed a sabbath day in every week to give our bodies, minds, and souls time to rest in and with him. Our chaotic world, which revolves around busyness and competition, tells us it’s normal to work on vacation, to carry on a conversation with one person while texting another, and to fill up free time with T.V. or video games. But God says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). “Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6).
Over 100 emails awaited my return, as well as more than 200 Instagram comments. But I didn’t freak out or become anxious. My attitude was calmer than usual because I felt well-rested. I plan to take my time getting through the work ahead of me by resting in gratitude and prayer more often. When I remember to include God in how I control each day, the tasks of each day lose their control over me.
I can say with conviction, my first churchwide retreat wasn’t well-planned, but it was sprinkled with God’s plan, and that made it the best plan of all.
THE SONG THAT COMES TO MIND is Rest by Kari Jobe.
Favorite lyric: “You’re closer than I thought was possible. So, I’ll rest right here with you.”
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