Youth Worker Devotions: Retreat!
Psa. 121:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
I had the opportunity to go away this past week to one of my favorite locations (Camp-of-the-Woods). Due to scheduling at my per-diem job, I found myself able to take a retreat with my family and friends in upstate New York. My brother graciously hooked me up with some real good plane tickets from his frequent flyer programs, and I was able to get out there and relax with my family.
The best thing about this camp is that it has speakers who come every week and teach from the Bible. This week was Charles Zimmerman and he expounded on the Gospels and the life of Christ. He encouraged us to look at Christ through a new lens, by reading back to front and understanding all that was happening in the text and to see Jesus Christ as he is, not as the figment of our imagination that we often make Him to be.
This week reminded me that we all need time to take a break and refresh ourselves. It never ceases to amaze me that when out on that lake in the middle of the Adirondacks, that my heart can’t help but praise God. Some of the songs have never changed, some have. However, all reflect on God and His provision in my life and how He is the true provider, author, finisher and sustainer of all I am.
In my current job search and vocational work, I sometimes get caught up in my own making of my destiny and forget who the true author is. Taking retreat helps me get grounded in God’s word and focused on what is necessary.
Summer in youth ministry is a very high paced time (much like the other three seasons.) How do you take the time to ground yourself and not let yourself become the victim of your own ego, or your own devices. What needs to happen in your life to put God in the drivers seat and you in the passenger seat? For me, getting this tune-up helps me put things in order and keeps my perspective in proper alignment.
