CAPA Corner

                I’ll  admit that when it gets freezing cold in the winter I start dreaming of the warmth of summer.  I remember every year when I was growing up my family took a vacation and drove somewhere in the summer.  It is wonderful to get away from work and ordinary routines to spend time with family and friends.  Our budget determines where we can afford to go.   Vacations that go well usually help reenergize us for the daily challenges of life when we get back home.   Vacations can help us learn more about the world we live in.  Vacations have the potential to draw us closer to family and friends.

                Jesus took time away to pray.  Many times he would go up on the mountain.  John 6:15b says, “…he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”  Jesus was intentionally taking time away to pray through the problems he faced.  With all of our enjoyable vacationing with intentions to grow our relationships with family and friends I wonder if something goes missing.  With us setting out to broaden our horizons I wonder if there is still and emptiness or longing within us.  What about intentional time away with God like Jesus spent on the mountaintop?  Have we scheduled time to be in retreat with God?  The truth is there is no vacation from living out our faith in Jesus Christ.  However, there is retreat.  We can find peace and rest as we take an intentional retreat with God.  This should happen daily!  I also think choosing a few available days annually for retreat with God is healthy.    There are many retreat opportunities like the Happening for youth, Walk to Emmaus for adults, and Cursillo for adults. They are available right here in the state of Louisiana.  Saint Joseph Abbey in Covington, LA offers space to those who need a retreat with God within a worshipful community.  Actually if I listed all the opportunities just within our state then we would have to add a few pages to this paper.  So, if somehow the Holy Spirit has spoken to you through these words I hope you will contact me or your pastor so that we can send you in the right direction towards a time to grow in relationship with God.  Don’t leave God out of your plans this year.  Take a few days to be on retreat with God.  Jesus said, “Come unto me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28  Let’s take Jesus up on his offer daily and lets schedule some concentrated days to be with Him.  When you come back home your family and friends will notice the difference and reap the benefits!

With Joy and Prayer,                                                                                                

Jonathan

Blackwater United Methodist Church