Retreat Is a Treat

This week’s Bible lesson will bend the definition a bit. From time to time Jesus would break away from the burdens of ministry to be alone with His disciples. Getting away from the daily grind to give more space for God to speak and move in your life is very biblical. This week, the Kiln of the Soul community met in our first retreat. Indeed, it is the first time any of us have met face-to-face. We’ve been here since Wednesday afternoon, and it’s been nothing short of miraculous and very refreshing. This is one of those unforgettable experiences, a spiritual mountaintop.

We chose a place in southeastern Oklahoma near Robber’s Cave in Wilburton. It turned out to be a very good choice, a cabin with sufficient isolation for us to feel like we’ve gotten away from the rest of the world. We didn’t plan anything; there was no schedule. We just wanted time in each other’s company. Sure enough, the random chatter that naturally arises from such an atmosphere had called forth a lot of questions that needed answers. I’m not a fan of excessive guidance that fills the time with something you didn’t choose for yourself. I’m quite certain Jesus and His disciples didn’t have a schedule or agenda on their retreats. They were simply being a family.

On the one hand, given the chaos looming over America, I cannot say whether it will even be possible to do this again sometime. On the other hand, I certainly hope we can pull it off. There is nothing like simply having time together in one place and experiencing those unguarded moments that make people very real to each other.

Granted, we didn’t advertise this first meeting. It was meant to be rather private with long time online members. The next time we will try to open it up for a wider audience. I’d be surprised if it was very large in the first place, but God alone knows whom He will move to get more involved this way. I could get used to ministering this way. More importantly, I know of no better way of catching just a taste of that close family atmosphere that identifies the Covenant Christ, learning to love each other as He loved.