Retreats and Isolation
Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Practice
Scripture: And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. – Luke 5:16 (KJV)
Even Jesus, who was perfect and walked in constant communion with the Father, recognized the need to withdraw into the wilderness. If the Son of God needed to step away from the crowds and the demands of ministry to pray, how much more do we? Retreat is not an escape from our responsibilities; it is the spiritual maintenance required to remain effective in them. Without intentional isolation, we become reactive to the noise of the world rather than responsive to the voice of God.
Find a way to practice this today. It doesn’t require a mountain top—it could be a quiet hour in your car, a morning in a park, or even just turning off every screen in your home. Disconnect from the input of others to reconnect with the input of the Father. You will find that when you come back, your perspective is sharper and your heart is steadier.
Prompt: When was the last time you completely withdrew from people and distractions to just be with God?
Action Step: The Practice of solitude and retreating is essential for hearing God’s voice over the noise of life.
Next Step: Find a quiet place for 15 minutes today, leave your phone behind, and simply sit with the Lord.