Rest And Refresh!
Jesus stood and cried out,
saying, “If anyone thirsts, let
him come to Me and drink.”
John 7: 37
They were nuns, monks, hermits, and
ascetics, and were known as the Desert
Fathers (or Desert Mothers, for nuns).
Beginning with Anthony the Great who moved
to the Middle Eastern desert around A.D. 270,
thousands of others followed in his footsteps,
seeking spiritual purity, enlightenment,
solitude, and perfection.
Their pattern of retreating contributed to the
practice of taking a retreat to refresh oneself
spiritually. Jesus said when we come to Him
for living water or rest (Matthew 11:28-30)—
we would find it in abundance.
We can create that place of rest in a place of
prayer or Bible study or meditation or worship,
anywhere we retreat from the cares and busy-
ness of life. When we turn over those cares to
God in prayer through Christ, His peace
will
guard our heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7).
When you retreat to a serene spot in nature,
wonderful! When that’s not possible, retreat
with Jesus wherever you can. He will meet
you there.
"You made us for yourself,
O Lord, and our hearts are
restless
till they rest in you."
Augustine
