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A Spiritual Retreat Day

“To know God’s will is to actively claim an intimate relationship with God” –

Henri Nouwen in Invitation to Retreat

I am blessed to work at a Christian university where we can take a spiritual retreat day once a semester. My boss was out of town recently for a conference, so it was a good time to take my retreat day. 

A lit candle from my last spiritual retreat

Oh, how I would have loved to spend my retreat day at the beach.  Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and very windy. So I opted to light a candle and stay inside. The Lord met me there.  

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be
your strength.”

Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

I pulled out Ruth Haley Barton’s book An Invitation to Retreat and flipped to chapter eight, Space for Discernment.  Ruth states: 

“Discernment is an increasing capacity to recognize and respond to the presence and activity of God – both in ordinary moments of our lives and decisions we face.” 

Ruth Haley Barton in Invitation to Retreat

I created space for discernment. You see, I believe it is important to spend time in silence and solitude, seeking what the Lord may have for me in this next season. I trust God for His timing. What does your discernment process look like? 


Comments

One response to “A Spiritual Retreat Day”

  1. Amgad Wahba Avatar
    Amgad Wahba

    Dear Paula
    Thank you for reminding us to spend time with the Lord in solitude and to seek discernment and guidance in making everyday decisions. When I seek Him in solitude, I find Him very close to me and experience great joy in His mighty presence.

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