“Monk’s Retreat” Adapted from Chasing the Sage, by Bud Lamb
The BIG IDEA
I went on retreat to the Little Portion Monastery and Hermitage deep in the woods of rural Arkansas.
I felt God was calling me out to go deeper or to come closer and to make some changes and so I set off on a spiritual field trip — to experience, observe, and discover how others practice their faith.
I knew God would meet me on this adventure — and He did!
Why did I go?
I had been hearing God calling me away from trying to multitask my spiritual life, to slow down, to go deeper, and to really enjoy God and others. I was captivated by the ideas of excelling still more, and having my ambition to be less hurried and yet to still be active in my work. (see 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11)
I had been tinkering with my quiet time and wanted more. More intimate conversations with God, slowly soaking in His presence — as compared to praying a dutiful, quick, albeit heartfelt prayer, and then moving on to “more important” stuff.
In reading the parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46) I discovered that to me “the Pearl” is knowing and enjoying God.
I came to realize I wanted more than anything to know and enjoy God, to love like Jesus, and to follow Him with all my heart.
When I returned I found myself drawn to a more simple and deeper relationship with God — I knew that unless I changed my style of living, the chances of getting something else in return was wishful thinking.
I began to develop some ideas about my future lifestyle – that is, how I wanted to move through the day in a clear, well-defined style of relating to God, people, and my work.
I returned willingly to pursue and be pursued by this Pearl of Great Price — this God of all creation, one moment at a time. I began to slow down and do one thing at a time with a growing awareness that God is in me, with me, and for me. Yes, to let this soak in, and leak out.
Over time I learned how to integrate prayer and work, reflection and relationships, rest and activity in a way that is sustainable and life-giving.
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