Taking A Day Away (with God): Approaching the Day Internally
Most of us are activists. Busy at home, work, church/ministry. Jesus worked hard too, but he modeled something else: time away from the madding crowd: in the wilderness, in the morning, in the garden. This was a real source of his strength.
Most of us have a difficult time being alone with God. “I have discovered that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they are unable to stay quietly in their own room.” –Paschal
As you take a day away with God, here’s a few perspectives that might help you make the most of such a day. Not so much the practicalities, but a way to approach the day internally.
The actual activities of a day away with God include practicing some spiritual disciplines that may be new to you. So a few thoughts: spiritual disciplines (like silence, solitude, fixed hour prayer, meditating on Scripture) don’t lend themselves to instant gratification. Sometimes, of course the perceived pay-off is immediate, but not always. And almost by definition, a spiritual discipline won’t be sustained if you insist on an immediate pay-off.
As you try out a new spiritual discipline, be slow to evaluate. Give it time. Let God confirm to you what/if any of these disciplines are especially meaningful or helpful to you at this time in your life. Don’t make any rash promises about the rest of your life. Just try them out and see.
At least for this day, let’s say from 9am – 3pm, determine in your heart not to be in a hurry--for anything. Not for yourself, for God, or for “something worthwhile to happen.” Eugene Peterson said that “hurry is violence committed against time.” So be kind to time, during this day, if nothing else. If you use the bathroom, take your time! If you find yourself rushing to “get through something,” just skip it. By the simple act of not hurrying, you will make yourself more present to God.
This is not necessarily a day to evaluate-criticize your relationship with God. Especially if that is default setting for you. It’s a day to slow down, be available. Let go of expectations.
Embrace the fact that you are not here to accomplish anything. You’re not here to improve yourself or be more effective anythings. You’re not here to have a great spiritual experience. You’re here to take a day away with God, pure and simple/
Some of you might need a little nap more than a quiet time. Just say to the Lord, “I’m a human being. And I think I need a little nap now. Would you be with me here while I nap?”
Remember, you’re here to slow down, have time available for being present to God. What He choses to do with the time is up to him.
If you have a besetting sin, an area of weakness, a troubling character flaw, I would encourage you not to focus on it today. There is always time to fuss about such things later. Of course, God may choose to address anything in your life that he chooses. But if it’s God, it won’t be marked by the same old worry and fuss feelings that accompany ordinary self-criticism.
Today is about learning to be alone with God in a room (or outside, in his room): as He is, as You are. Trust that he can handle you as you are. He’s seen worse in his time.