Rested and Refreshed!
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 today’s practice of
taking a “retreat” to refresh oneself spiritually. Thankfully,
it’s
not necessary to retreat to a desert or mountaintop, either
temporarily or permanently, to find spiritual refreshment.
Jesus said if we would but come to Him for living water or for
rest (Matthew 11:28-30)—we would find it in abundance. We
can create a place of rest in a place of prayer or Bible study
or meditation or worship—anywhere we can retreat from the
cares and busyness 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).
If you can retreat to a serene spot in nature, wonderful!
If that’s not possible, retreat with Jesus where 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
