Solitude and Meditation

Today was spent at Catholic Retreat Center in Los Gatos. It was a simple, quiet place up a small hill in beautiful surroundings. This is my second year of attending a monthly prayer retreat called "Come Away" which is organized by a group called Eagle's Wings. The habit of reflection, solitude, prayer, and meditation do not come easy for me. In fact the first few times I attended these retreats last year, I was left frustrated because I wasn't able to" get anything done." But thankfully over time, God began to strip away the busyness and distractions from my mind to focus on Him. Today's retreat (my first since last April) was especially refreshing for me. I forgot how much I truly need to get away on a consistent basis to be alone with God. My first few hours were spent mentally chasing ideas and thoughts, but then slowly God began to calm my mind to experience His presence. In our busy, hectic schedules time alone is very difficult to find. But I have found that it is one of the truly transformation disciplines that I need.

Friends

My Wednesdays are very busy. I met at 6:30am at Starbucks for discipleship with one of the men in the church. Then around 8:00am I got to 24hr fitness for my morning work out. After a couple of hours in the office, I had lunch with a high school buddy who is now attending our church. At 1:00pm I have discipleship with another man in our church. It is now about 2:30pm and most of the day is behind me. I haven't really gotten much office work done but there is no doubt in my mind that today will end up being the most productive day of my week. The reason is simple, I believe that God uses relationships more than any other thing to shape and mold us to become like Jesus Christ. My investment and interataction with these three men today is more beneficial to them and me than any amount of pastoral planning, visioning, and office work. Don't get me wrong there is always a need for deep Bible study, interaction with God through His Word and prayer, sermon preparation, and checking things off my to do list; But at the end of the day each of the things I just listed comes to life when they effect my interaction with other people. God has created us as relational beings. And as a followers of Christ, we need that interaction with each other to grow and thrive in our faith. One of the greatest joys of ministry is to be able to be in relationship with so many wonderful men that are helping me become more like Jesus Christ.