A call to Retreat

“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

A holy life does not live in the closet, but it cannot live without it ~E.M. Bounds

“Rest is not a reward of work well done. Rest positions us for purpose.”~ Brenda Jank

I love that we are building organizational cultures rooted in prayer and intercession—where our associates and clients are equipped to grow spiritually, embrace rhythms of rest, retreat, and develop deeper connections and meaningful relationships.

This culture models Christ. If we say we are living out our values, we must be intentional about practicing our rhythms of rest—and one of those key rhythms is the rhythm of retreat.

Retreat is the pursuit of God off the beaten path.

It can happen in an hour, over the course of several hours, or even across multiple days.

There are actually three kinds of personal retreats:

• Offensive

• Defensive

• Forced

This week, we’re focusing on offensive personal retreats. These are times away with God that are planned, prioritized, and part of our routine.

Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of retreat. He often withdrew to be alone with the Father. Sometimes, He invited His disciples to retreat with Him. Whether alone or in community, Jesus made space for solitude, prayer, and renewal.

Retreats are sacred opportunities to rest, reflect, pray, and explore God’s presence in deeper ways. But they’re also moments to simply relax. There is holy value in rest and unwinding—it’s OK to breathe, slow down, and enjoy.

Let’s lean into this rhythm and let retreat become part of how we live, lead, and love well.

I invite you to pick a day, a half day or even two quiet hours off the beaten path and put it on your calendar.