Recently I was invited to a retreat at a wooded property near my home. Imagine a crisp, sunny autumn day where the main purpose was to listen to God. Period. There was no prework. Just bring your sack lunch, Bible, and journal. Sixteen women would gather with open hearts, mitten-covered hands, and expectations of hearing from and being heard by their Heavenly Father.

To me, that was all I needed to hear. I said yes to the invitation and asked how many others I could invite. To be outdoors in God’s creation, interacting with Him through nature, scripture, and others, not to mention with my phone silenced and yards away in my car, sounded dreamy. I had no hesitation.

My soul desires respite.

Life is moving quickly. I say this as each Friday arrives, as each calendar month flips, and as each semester of my children’s school ends. Let alone when the memory pictures pop up from 10 years ago!

I’m enjoying life, don’t get me wrong, but there are times when I wonder if I am truly enjoying all the intricacies life offers. In the fast-paced, technology-distracting life, am I deeply engaging with the people I desire to be with? Am I using the gifts God gave me in a way that honors Him? Do I even know my purpose for the second half of my life?

I knew a one-day retreat wouldn’t answer all these questions, but it did affirm that my mind was desiring to know more about His plan so that I could be racing after it. Yes, I did just write racing while I was writing about slowing down. Because that is one of the ways God created me. I can’t tell you the number of times friends and bosses have complimented my hard work and endurance by calling me the Energizer Bunny. I am organized, decisive, and quick. But I know the flip side of these attributes, especially when I am worn thin, from countless times my Dad said to me, “Slow down or you’ll make mistakes.”

Jesus modeled prioritizing quiet time with God, so we too can spend time with our Heavenly Father: “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.” Mark 1:35. In our time alone with the Lord, we too can understand His Sovereignty: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10.

Back to the day of respite. We were met by a spiritual director, who led us through prayer and individual activities, mostly in silence so we could reflect internally. You would think solitude and silence would be uncomfortable sitting among a group of others, but in reality, it was refreshing and healing.

When we pause, we can’t avoid looking inwardly. We can’t be distracted by tasks and calls and children. Concerns and troubles that have been swirling in the back of our heads finally have the chance to come to the forefront. Music can’t push them away. Books on tape can’t fill the void. It provides time for the spirit to poke at the issue that we’d rather not. When we slow down, we can’t avoid the cracks in the drywall of our personal foundation. We can’t push under the rug the way our spouse is speaking to us or the increased time they are not at home. We can’t avoid the voice of God gently convicting us of the areas we need to clean up. It provides space for God to reveal the deepest desires of your heart, and His.

To truly stop and reflect can be scary. We all have areas that need our attention. Taking the time to sit in the muck takes courage. We aren’t sure what will be revealed. But I promise the other side of it is freedom. In the pause, we can assess who and what we are prioritizing. It can lead to the unearthing of past hurts and accepting our part in disagreements, or the ability to forgive ourselves and bless others, or even to sit and do a personal performance review of your mind, spirit, and body, noting the areas that are depleted and aching. All of which provide a chance for the soul to heal.

God created us to be in a relationship with Him (Genesis 1) and with others (Genesis 2). Jesus teaches us:

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

“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” (Matthew 11:29).

“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

These scriptures point us back to God. To not take on life alone. To bring our troubles to Him, instead of avoiding or ignoring them. John Mark Comer poses a simple question in his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, “What is all the distraction, addiction, and pace of life doing to our soul?”

Let me share an overview of one of the retreat activities. We projected our life to a date in the future. I chose six years from now because both of my children should be out of college and into their careers, plus we will have been empty nesters for four years, all of which seem very different than my life today. The activity was to reveal the desires my soul is longing for. We spent over an hour in silence working through numerous questions, such as: What will have brought me joy? What accomplishments will I have achieved? What healthy habits will I employ? I was amazed at what bubbled to the surface: I feel a desire to serve the unseen of society, which had paused and never restarted since COVID-19. I want to get back to journaling more consistently. I have taken a break since finishing a year-long journaling project this past summer. I heard His comforting voice of continuing to be His evangelist, but that more adventure was in the future. In a short amount of time, I had a list of thoughts of areas to trim away, and habits to pursue to allow these goals to be accessible.

Earlier I said I accepted the invitation immediately and asked how many others I could invite. I wasn’t prepared for the number of people who weren’t as eager to attend. There were the myriad of kids’ sports and family obligations, but the one that sticks out, and keeps tugging on my heart, is the friend who said how desperately she needs a day for herself, yet wasn’t ready for what God might say to her about her friendships, her marriage, and her relationship with Him. Her honesty blew me away. Her mind wasn’t ready for the process that her soul is craving. If this is a similar reaction for you, I will pray that an opportunity arises for you to say yes.

If a day of togetherness and solitude sounds amazing to you, create one. It can be in your home, at the local nature center, or a few hours carved out the next time you are traveling. A beach, mountain, or lake are great places to spend time with God. Don’t discount the time on the plane. I love being up above the clouds. To me, it feels like time is suspended. No texts, calls, or emails to interrupt me. I have the clearest thoughts and a bonus, it is always sunny above the clouds. Whereever you select, make it silent and tech-free. Create a space to sit and meditate on scripture. Have a journal to capture themes God is nudging you with. Use the questions I shared above to get started. And when you finish, schedule another session with yourself in a few weeks. Take some days to ponder what has bubbled up today, and areas you want to dig in deeper. Hopefully, some of this will cause habits that will become daily rhythms that reflecting years from now, will become just “how I am.” The book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry which I referenced above, has wonderful prompts to consider. And this simple thought I will leave you with: “Love, Joy, and Peace are at the heart of all Jesus is trying to grow in the soil of your life. And all three are incompatible with hurry.”

Please pray with me: Lord, Thank You for offering rest for our souls. Please prompt us today, and each day of the very busy season upon us to draw close to You. Give us respite from the distractions and from the “busyness” snare that the world offers. Let us seek the alternative path You offer, and let us prioritize You above all else. You created our bodies to crave the Love, Joy, and Peace You offer. Help us come to You to be fulfilled. Amen.

Click here to read the benefits of Kristie’s four-day Sabbath retreat.

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