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I just got back from my annual retreat, and let me tell you, it’s one of my favorite things I do all year. I’ve learned a few tricks that make it a super restful, intensely productive and deeply refreshing time with the Lord.
This annual pilgrimage started several years ago, when my wife, who knows me so well, gave me a birthday gift unlike anything I’d received in my life: a weekend by myself at a cabin.
Since then, it’s become a cherished tradition. Every time I come home from an “introversion excursion,” I feel full of life and inspiration. It’s like a logjam has released, transforming the pent-up tension of life into a flowing peace.
First, I’ll tell you where I go. Over the years I’ve stayed in various cabins and retreat centers. This year was one of my favorites, and certainly the most unique: an archabbey in the Midwest.
Built in 1854, Saint Meinrad is a thriving campus complete with an ornate church, large monk community, seminary, library, gym, guest lodge and lots of sidewalks and paths.
I’ve never been to a monastery. Though I’m not Catholic, this is now my favorite retreat locale, and I’ll be back next year. To see more photos than what I’ve included in this post, check out my related Instagram post.
So, what do I do during my long weekend?
Well, I don’t just sleep and journal, though I did write a few pseudo-journal entries for you below, recounting my experience and the flow of time.
Day 1 – Warm up
During the hourlong drive to the archabbey, I listened to a podcast I’d been putting off. After checking in at the lodge, I cleared my email inbox, read some magazines I’d been saving (that otherwise would’ve been thrown away), and started on my first project: Preparing an upcoming lesson to teach in a class at our church.
I know these things don’t sound very retreaty, but I’ve learned the shot of dopamine I get after accomplishing them juices me up for the rest of the weekend. It feels good to sweep away tasks that have been building up.
After a quick d
inner, it was back to finishing the lesson. I gave myself additional motivation to finish it with the promise to watch a movie afterward.
Throughout the day and evening I took breaks to walk around the campus, grab coffee or just stare out the window.
During these trips, praise is constantly on my soul as I savor this time alone with my Savior.
Day 2 – Dive in
Each night of a typical retreat, I sleep only a couple hours beyond my normal amount. I’ve found the extra bit of shut-eye gives me a touch more energy for the day, but I still have a full morning available for productivity.
Right after breakfast, I grabbed a coffee and edited my class lesson, breaking away now and then to read a book I’d had on my pile for months. I couldn’t believe I was reading a real book, without interruption from devices or people. (You should try it sometime!)
By lunchtime, I’d put the lesson to bed, finished most of the book and readied my next task. This time, I worked on a photo book memorializing my son’s first mission trip—a project that had been languishing on my list for weeks. Ever had one of those?
After lunch, I grabbed another coffee and headed to the library with my Bible. Amazingly, I was the only patron in the entire place—on all three floors. I found a couch and read a large block of Scripture without stopping. The whooshing air conditioning was the only sound beyond my page turns; the bright sun blanketing the room literally illuminated the Word before me.
I remember thinking, Lord, this is one of those heavenly moments. Let it last.
And it did. Finally, after nearly falling asleep, I heard someone quietly come downstairs. I took that as my cue to wrap up the moment.
After dislodging myself from the couch, I walked the halls of the seminary, happening upon the rector outside his office. After a short chat, the late afternoon’s sun invited me to saunter through a courtyard and then through the majestic architecture of the abbey. A fascinating walk indeed.
That night I worked on another family project I’d put off for years—a revision of my Letter of Wishes for my family. I had redone my will not long ago, but hadn’t gotten to this. Check: another project done.
Movie time.
Day 3 – Envision and plan
Day three turned a corner. Rather than focusing on specific tasks and reading, I spent several hours thinking strategically about my company, future writing projects and other ways I want to spend my time.
I recorded ideas in a Word document and massaged them throughout the day as I bounced between the various spheres in my life: family, ministry and business. For me, these things have a blurred line between them. I think it’s critical to tie the major areas of life together into a much larger tapestry.
As I developed my vision for the next year, I felt more and more grounded. I thought through some new creative projects and outlined next steps. I prioritized projects that had been on my list for months, consolidating some, developing a few, deleting others.
The whole day, as I wrestled with vision and plans, I did my best to listen to the Lord’s voice.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
That verse epitomizes the hoped-for outcome of my retreats. I don’t just want to plan, I want the Lord to establish my plans – to make them his, to enter into them with me, to make them happen.
What good is a plan that doesn’t become reality?
Day 4 – Reentry
I reluctantly checked out of the guest lodge, listened to another podcast on the way home, and stopped at a coffee shop for a couple hours to put the finishing touches on the weekend: a little more reading, clearing my inbox again, generally preparing to reenter the race.
I felt settled, energized and ready.
It’s your turn
Is it time for your own retreat? Even if you’re a hard-charging extrovert, extended time alone promises immense benefit. Connecting with God and prioritizing your life are priceless experiences.
No time, you say? While a few days may be unrealistic, even one night away from home or an afternoon in a coffee shop are enough for many people. The next time you travel on business, try ordering dinner in and closing out the world for a few hours.
The point is to pull back from your normal activity and think. Pray. Worship. Write. Rest. Seek.
As you listen more intently to your Father, you may be amazed at what he’s been waiting to reveal.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:16
Photo source: istock
 | Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More » |
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