Entrusting Ourselves to God
Laura Longville
Throughout Contemplative Living Retreat #2, we build upon the first retreat of implementing the Sabbath in our life. Sabbath helps us entrust ourselves to God for a whole day, realizing we don’t have to perform or produce. It’s the beginning of letting the stirred-up muddy river water of our life settle to see what is beneath the surface.
The rhythm of silence and solitude amplifies our desire and ability to let things settle and notice interior movements and deep desires that may have been buried or blurry. Living in a distracted world creates a great challenge. Many of us are afraid to be with ourselves. We notice what holds us back from being with alone and God as openly and as honestly possible.
“These spiritual practices turn life upside down. We normally determine the agenda and pace of our lives. We go our own way, the very essence of sin. When we sit in silence and solitude, we begin the process of allowing God to be the center of our world. We let go of control and surrender to Him. ”
Rhythms of Grace
With its foundation built on the rhythm of silence and solitude, this retreat helps us create more space for God to begin to get through to us with his whispers. Silence and solitude free us from the noise and distraction that often drives our life and allows us to be present and open.
As we get comfortable with ourselves, we also become awake to our false self. The part of us that draws me away from God and His loving plans. Anything that pulls me away from faith, hope, and love. Anything that draws me away from Home.
Man-made Strategies
This retreat helps us understand our strategies for meeting our basic needs for love, survival, power, and control. We discover the art of packaging ourselves. Albert Haas describes the false self as leaving home. “God is at home. It is we who have out for a walk.”
We continue to transform into the image of Christ as we identify what draws us toward God and away from Him. The spiritual practice of Centering Prayer offers us the freedom to let go and be with God. He is with us in solitude, silence, and stillness. God promises to soothe and quiet our souls, give rest to our bodies, and serenity to our minds.
Are you longing for such freedom? Join a cohort of like-minded individuals pursuing after God. The early registration discount ends on July 1, 2024.