As I started 2020, I knew I was starting Something New – A Whole New Beginning. I told my husband I wanted to “catch a breath” as I started this new year, so I purposely scheduled a silent retreat in the second week of January. I would spend 3 days and 2 nights away in southern Indiana at The Springs. The Springs is dedicated to providing a sacred retreat space for Christian Ministry Staff and Leaders.
This was dedicated time to get away from the noise and busyness of daily life demands. It was a time to rest and reflect in silence and solitude – no television, internet, or cell phone reception!
I knew this time away was going to be good for my soul. I would spend time in prayer and specifically asking God what he wanted for me in this next season of ministry.
However, before leaving for my retreat, I had a session with my spiritual director. She challenged me to sit in the space between the inhale and the exhale. Take this time to REST. Nothing more.
I love the way Ruth Haley Barton paraphrased Psalm 46:10 in her book “An Invitation To Retreat”
“Be Still (literally let go of your grip), and know (experiential full-body knowing) that I am God.”
In other words, Let Go of Your Grip and EXPERIENCE Letting GOD be GOD in Your Life.
Ruth Haley Barton
God was calling me to let go and Abide in Him. I rested well those few days. I took a long walk and explored some of the beautiful 150 acres. I spent time praying and listening. I spent time reading, sitting and being still.
“Spiritual disciplines are a means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. It means somewhere you’re not occupied and you’re certainly not preoccupied. It means to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn’t planned on or counted on.”
Henri Nouwen
When I asked the Lord to speak to me. He gave me the words, YOU are enough. Your identity is not being a children’s pastor. You are mine. I love you, Paula.
What about you? Do you need to catch a breath? Do you need to hold space between your Inhale and your Exhale? You may not have the opportunity to get away for a few days, but you can take a few hours, perhaps a day to go to a park or go to a quiet coffee shop. I would recommend grabbing a copy of Ruth Haley Barton’s book “An Invitation to Retreat” and diving in!
Make time for stillness and silence in 2020. You will be glad you did!