If you were given an extra day each week, how would you use it? To read books, volunteer with a charity, perhaps catch up on sleep? In truth, I’d probably spend that extra day working. While I enjoy what I do, I don’t think that’s the healthiest of confessions.
Last year I found myself with an extra day, so to speak. It was a free day I had between speaking engagements that I’d planned to spend working on some articles. Instead, I turned it into a retreat.
I booked some accommodations. My room was small but had lovely big windows. I looked out at the cottages next door with their hedges, trees, and rustling leaves. I watched the birds, heard them sing. I read Scripture; I prayed. And something important began to happen. Things that needed changing in my life began floating to mind—things I needed to stop doing, start doing, or shift in priority. I gained clarity on some important decisions. God was recalibrating my life.
Jesus considered His work so important He regularly interrupted it for prayerful retreat. He began His public ministry this way (Luke 4:1-15), retreated before making major decisions (Luke 6:12-16) and when His fame and popularity grew (Luke 5:15,16). He taught His disciples the practice too (Mark 6:31). After sending them out on a mission (Luke 9:1-6), He drew them away for some solitude—although it was short-lived on this occasion! (Luke 9:10). While we should all have regular rest and recreation, they’re not the same as prayerful retreat, where the focus is spending unhurried time with God.
We can’t add a day to our weeks but we can be intentional with the time we have. So ask me tomorrow what I’d do with an extra day. I hope I’ll say: “I’d spend it in prayerful retreat.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 32:1–33:16
More:
Reflect on the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Which character do you most relate to and why?
Next:
How often do you have a “prayerful retreat” with God? When can you next book one into your calendar?
Gary Shultz on January 20, 2017 at 4:47 am
Hi Sheridan: I would say that I most often mirror Martha. Although I usually am able to block some time for devotions, I then step into a world that has expectations for me to do the part I fill. I suppose different occupations have different complications, but many have responsibilities working with others, so we do what we do. I suppose I never considered detaching for an extended block of time, I know many writers, even some singers, remove themselves from the regular and find great purpose in reflective solitude. I guess sometimes it’s like Mary and Martha, how clearly do we see Jesus over everything else? Then in today’s life make that a practical goal, for some it would seem difficult to arrange, others much easier. Wherever I find myself, I need to invest what time I have with portions for Him. Thanks Sheridan
Monica Brands on January 20, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Good insights here on how what it takes to renew and refocus will be different for each person depending on their circumstances. For some people, a retreat could be incredibly difficult or impossible to arrange financially, etc. But the reminder to step back from our lives and find *some* way to regularly renew/refresh is so needed!
gagirllive on January 20, 2017 at 7:22 am
Sheridan, it seems to me that God gave us that “extra” day—the Sabbath. He modeled for us in His own creative expression a day set apart from our labor for the purpose of rest and reflection. It’s too bad that we’ve traveled very far from that example in our fast-paced world. I’ve heard many believers say that Sunday—the Lord’s Day that most of us cease from our work and set apart for rest and corporate worship—is the most stressful day of the week for them. It’s another day of frenzy activity. It was for me too for a lot of years, especially having 4 little children to get ready, feed their hungry stomachs after church, and prepare to take them back for AWANA (a Bible club that trains them in scripture memory) in the evening. Not a day of rest and reflection for me, that’s for sure. But that was just for a season. Today my kiddos are all grown up (at least age-wise 🙂 ), and I retired from my job a year ago. I’m involved in several things, but I’m careful to be productive and not just busy. I have more time for prayerful retreats…weekly, sometimes daily. It’s not a full day, but I often like to make my way outdoors (weather permitting) for a hike in the woods or a stroll in the park or just a walk in my neighborhood, spending time (mostly listening) with God. One thing I know for sure is that we all need to take time apart from our busy lives or we will fall apart, physically and spiritually. And we have to be intentional for it to happen. Like the title of a book I know, we have to LEARN “How to Be a Mary in a Martha World”. Well, Sheridan, this devo is just perfect for the start of a new year. Lord willing, we have 11 months ahead of us to make the effort to set aside times for prayerful reflections. May we all steward that time well. Thanks, Sheridan, and many blessings to you this year. Happy weekend, sojourners.
Sheridan Voysey on January 20, 2017 at 10:15 am
Thanks gagirlive. You’re absolutely right, Sunday is a built-in ‘prayerful retreat’ day for every week. As you’ve noted though, it isn’t always in practice! And the examples I pulled for this article seem to be on other occassions for Jesus and the disciples, like my surprise day. Whatever day we make it (and recognising that can be different at different seasons of life), that intentionality you mention is crucial.
A very happy new year to you too!
jcmercygrace on January 20, 2017 at 7:33 pm
I really appreciate this post. It is something I want to pause and reflect upon. And something I’d like to put on my calendar. Thank you for putting these thoughts into print.
olivearmitage on April 14, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Will be travelling next week. A prayerful retreat is what I need. Will definitely do this. Thanks Sheridan!
olivearmitage on April 14, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Will be traveling next week. A prayerful retreat is just what I need.