RETREAT = JESUS

We discussed it this weekend...moms need retreat. I need to retreat. Jesus needed retreat and He was God.

"But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray."

Luke 5:16

I guess the thing that starts my thought process down a winding rabbit trail begins with defining retreat in this context.

retreat: (noun) a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax

synonyms: refuge, haven, sanctuary, hideaway, hideout, hiding place, escape

All of the above sound like Jesus.

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32:7

It's not as accessible for me these days, being removed from the city as we are, to venture off out of the home in hopes of an easy retreat. And this works out well, because my default methods to regroup from the hustle of a day can rest on other more sure things...namely Jesus. He is my retreat. Time with Him is satisfying. Leaning on Him is nourishing in ways other escapes could never be.

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."
Jeremiah 31:25

Jesus sustains.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11:29

The world tells weary moms that we need all sorts of things in order to find retreat, in order to recoup. And it's true that some ventures are worth our while. But at the end of the day, there is only One source of retreat that is fully reliable and able to fill without fail. When we choose to retreat with the Lord and His Word over other more temporal things, we'll never be disappointed because Jesus never fails and He is always available. He loves to meet us near when we find refuge in the shelter of His wings.

"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler."

Psalm 91:4

So, on a busy afternoon when I've poured and poured and need to refill, I remind myself to retreat with Jesus. I do this with intentionality and pray that my children take note of what Mom is using to fill. I leave my Bible open at all times in my special spot at the dining table where it beckons I draw near easily and often. Sometimes I just sit with it there open and pray or ponder and ask the Lord to whisper to my heart. Other times I read a verse, chapter, or more and sometimes follow journeys through study notes to discover new things He wants to teach me. And I'm never disappointed. Jesus is all we really need and He is what we're all searching for.

"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.

The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 4:14

Retreat.

"Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Psalm 34:8

Jesus did the same with His Father God and He tells us to imitate Him and it's a contagious sort of deal because the closer we get to Him, the more we desire of Him, and conversely, the less we look longingly toward the things of the world to satisfy. It's a win, win situation I can see and so I commit to my hiding place, my quiet, much needed, faithful retreat...Jesus.

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark,

he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

Mark 1:35

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