But don’t you ever advance?
A visitor had just been informed about our North American Christian retreat culture, and was puzzled that we’d talk and plan so much about a word that meant withdrawal. To retreat indicates, of course, a negative movement away from something—pulling out of battle (with the implication of defeat), changing one’s mind on a former position, or even a decline in share value—but not what we’re positively headed towards.
All my springs are in you.
What if we talked as though there were something, or someone, to engage with as the source of our life? Our ancient prayer book takes up the complexities of life in a pressured world and ends with this assurance: we can encounter the hidden spring of our lives in community and so be enabled for the tasks ahead. This isn’t just about sounding a retreat, but about going “farther in” to a more nourishing encounter than we’ve tapped yet.
Let’s make this weekend about revisiting the source of our life, Jesus Christ, holding our position and even (dare I say?) advancing in the dynamic life he calls us to lead.
Upcoming
October 29-31, 2010
Past Themes
God’s Wisdom in our Words (Winter ’10)
In Parables (Fall ’09)
Life, Kingdom Style – Guest speaker Nerida Peart (Winter ’09)
The Called Life – (Winter ’08)
