Joy In Every Step

I had the wonderful blessing this last weekend, to take a day off for a personal retreat! Chris was home with the girls and I headed off in the morning to get some breakfast and then head to my parent's home, (they were away on a trip) where I spent my day.


I had not heard of a personal retreat until I read Carolyn Mahaney's book "Shopping for Time" last year. A personal retreat is a time for you to get away, pray, and evaluate the season of life (Ecc. 3:1-8) you are in so that you can make the most of every opportunity before you. 

~~~

"Look carefully then how you walk,

not as unwise but as wise,

making the best use of the time,

because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be foolish,

but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Ephesians 5:15-17

~~~

This was my second retreat, and oh how valuable this time was for me. I have been able to step back from the busyness of every day life, evaluate and make sure that I am making the most of the time and opportunities the Lord has given me. 


After I pray over and evaluate every area of my life. I pick a couple areas that need change and make up a step by step plan of how I can better serve the Lord in these areas of my life.  After I have my plan of action made up, I start to set it into motion. 


In the two retreats that I have been able to take I spend most of the morning and early afternoon praying, evaluating, and planning. The rest of the afternoon and evening is spent listening to pod-casts or sermons, reading and doing various projects that I have brought along. Each time I return home feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to serve the Lord.

~~~

"Whatever you do, work heartily,

as for the Lord and not for men,

Knowing that from the Lord you will receive 

the inheritance as your reward."

Colossians 3:23-24

~~~

Carolyn Mahaney has a wonderful message about personal retreats titled "In Every Season". I have listened to this before each of my retreats. It has helped me to start thinking through and preparing for my up-coming retreat. You can also download her notes to her message here. In this message Carolyn mentions another sermon by Mike Bullmore; you can download it for free here. Mike's sermon titled "Distinguishing Marks of a Genuine Gospel Passion" greatly helped me in evaluating my personal growth in holiness. You can also download worksheets to use during your retreat here.


I would greatly encourage all of you to take some time to step back from the busyness of your every day life to really seek the Lord, so that you can make the most of the time and opportunities that He has given you.

~~~

"For Christ's love compels us, 

because we are convinced that one died for all,

and therefore all died, And he died for all,

that those who live should no longer live for themselves

but for him who died for them and was raised again."

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Picture From Allposters.com