Out of Phase #11 - Retreat

The word retreat has a few applications. In war, to retreat is to pull back from a fight that is no longer serving the mission in order to live to fight another day. Sometimes we retreat into our homes to unplug and rest either alone or with our spouse. We may go on retreats with likeminded people for our work, marriage, or spiritual well being. To retreat is a good thing. Scripture says Jesus often retreated to lonely places to spend time in prayer (Luke 5:16).

However, to those who are driven retreating can sometimes feel counter-productive. It can seem as though the time away is stealing additional opportunities to continue to grind it out in the trenches; however, retreating brings us to a place of renewal and out of that flows increased passion and productivity.

When retreating gets out of phase it is altogether different. When we choose to avoid the risk and effort required to “take up our cross (purpose) and follow Jesus” and instead embrace the comfort and security of retreating our conviction turns to apathy and our passion becomes a pipe-dream – at best. The very thing that was meant to fuel our purpose drains it and our desire to retreat leads us to isolation.

Isolation fosters not only complacency but doubt. It robs us of the peace of knowing we are living out our purpose and in its place fuels our fear. Our hearts, once softened by the compassion of serving, grow bitter and stony-cold as our focus turns ever more inward.

Our souls are created for the relationships and community found by living out our purpose. But, they are corrupted when we allow the hurts, frustrations, and disappointments experienced in community to drive us into isolation where the only voice we hear is that of the enemy who seeks to suffocate us beneath the overwhelming dread of loneliness.

Are you on the verge of burnout? If so, you are certainly in need of a retreat. Are you in feeling lonely, fearful, or skeptical? If so, you are in great need for community. It’s time to advance out of the prison that once offered you respite and focus once again on the passion that fills your soul!