retreat

There are some times in life where you realize that something you were making so complicated or difficult or stressful is really pretty simple.

The last four days of our mission retreat have held a lot of moments like that. Our speaker, a past field leader in Haiti, had a way of presenting things in a very "straight to the heart" kind of way. We realized this weekend that there are two ways to work on things. You can deal with them in your mind: role-play solutions, attend "how-to" seminars or skill-sharpening workshops, read books, join in discussions, think about them endlessly, etc. Or, we can deal with them in our hearts: "GOD! I'm sorry. Change my heart!"

There are times for both, I am sure, but Dave mostly focused on changing the ROOT of the problem: our hearts.

"Fifty percent of missionaries go home before their terms end because of interpersonal issues with other missionaries" a fellow missionary said to our speaker. "How do we deal with all these interpersonal issues?"

I expected Dave to say that this was a complicated issue, or that we would have to do many things to combat this.

Instead, he said, "Pray for them. Thank God for them every single day. That'll change things. You can't fight with someone when you're thanking God for them." Matt and I realized later that that's exactly what Jesus said...pray for them! love them!

Dave also had us go through a long list of questions, and actually answer each one YES, NO, or SOMETIMES.

"Is there any person against whom you are harboring bitterness, resentment or jealousy?

Do you allow anything to justify a wrong attitude toward another?

Have your decisions been made after your own wisdom and desires, rather than seeking and following God's will?

Are you a participant in any divisions, or divisive group spirit?

Are you allowing your emotions to be stirred for things of the Lord but doing nothing about it?

Do you allow feelings of inferiority to keep you from attempting things you you should in serving God?

Have you neglected to thank Him for all things, the seemingly bad as well as the good?

Do you speak unkindly concerning people when they are not present?

Have you slighted daily or private prayer?"

There were over 50 questions like this, with the simple admonishment at the end: "If, in reading and answering the questions below, if you are convicted of sin, confess it at once to God. Be willing to make it right, and claim forgiveness."

Retreat was refreshing, not because we had down time, or because we "got away" (though these things helped), but because we remembered that sometimes this is all it takes.

We must first examine our hearts, admit our sin, confess it, and make it right. Changing...becoming more like Christ...might not be as complicated as it often feels.

Our conflicts or irritations with others: Pray for them. Thank God for them!

Our struggles in life: Thank God for them! Pray without ceasing!

Our issues with work/where we live/ministry/etc: Thank God for the opportunity to grow! Praise Him for His faithfulness!

Work on praising and thanking and confessing and rightening and praying in your life with us! Let's compare notes in a few weeks...

Thanks for your prayers for these few days of retreat! We have all arrived safely home.

(Pictured: Cormier Beach, where we spent the last two days, and then a few pictures of the baptism of a very special friend, which took place on Sunday.)