Take A Personal Retreat:
My personal reflections from the Bible Study last night. Sister Esther Opong led the study on “Taking A Personal Retreat,” a challenge to reflect on 2020.
Sister Esther challenged us…”As we are in a new year, it is a good time to set aside time from your daily life to get away with God to reflect, to pray, to mediate on Scripture, and to listen to the Holy Spirit.” (My paraphrase). She challenged us to take a day or two to spend several hours in reflection on this past year, then set goals for this new year in our lives in 4 ways:
Spiritually
Relationally
Physically
Financially
Reflect on this past year. It was a momentous and unprecedented year with the COVID-19 sweeping across the world, as well as social injustice, protests, violence, tribalism, a downturn in the economy, loss of jobs, loss of normal life, and a lack of faith in our media, laws, and government.
What has God done in and through your life in 2020? First, let’s focus on your spiritual life.
What has God done in your life, spiritually-speaking?
Have you spent time reading His word and listening to His leading? Are you nurturing your soul? Christian Philosopher, Watchman Nee https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Local-Church#ref703703 defines the heart as: “ones mind, emotions, and will.” How are you nurturing your soul/heart today? It’s the part that no one can see, except you and God.
What will you do differently this year?
How were your relationships in 2020? How was your relationship with your spouse, your partner, your children, your family members, your small groups, colleagues, friends, and church? Did you invest in these relationships? If so, how much time did you give to each? Who are the most important people in your life? Was your time well spent? Did you spend this time with the people you wanted to invest in? Did you make the most of your family time?
For me, I’ve found that covid19 has forced us to spend more time at home as a family. There wasn’t any running around here and there to track practice, after school clubs, sporting events, and parties. Instead, we ate dinner together as a family, 5 or more nights per week. We were lucky. Or, I should say, blessed to have one another and healthy food on the table.
Covid19 has actually brought our family closer to each other and to God. We spend more time talking about spiritual things, talking about things going on in the world, and watching a sermon together. I can honestly say that this horrible disease has made us better people who love each other at a deeper level. We don’t take each other for granted as easily. We’re more appreciative of one another. And we prayerfully confront each other when things aren’t right. Although our family is far from perfect, we sacrifice our individual needs for one another. We are also staying connected with our brothers and sisters in Christ of all different classes, races, cultures, political views, and nationalities. For myself, I plan on keeping my family first, then my other relationships will follow. How about you, which relationships do you plan to nurture in 2021?
What did you do in your life, physically last year? Did you take care of your body? Did you go for a daily walk and exercise at home? Did you exercise self-control in your eating habits? Did you do the hard things which were more beneficial than the easy ones? It’s so easy to just sit in front of my computer for hours and hours. As sister Esther said, “We have to be INTENTIONAL in taking care of ourselves.” I have to intentionally set aside time to take a walk, or it doesn’t happen. I wonder in vain why my body is hurting due to lack of movement and sunshine. I have to be intentional if I want to feel better.
Your body is God’s creation. It is a temple of God. God doesn’t make mistakes. Psalm 134:13–14 says, “I praise you, Lord, that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, wonderful are your works, and that my soul knows full well.” Are you comparing yourself to others by human standards? Or seeing yourself through God’s eyes? God created you for His good purposes. Jeremiah 29:11. https://www.bibleverseimages.com/jeremiah-29-11.htm
What choices will you make with your body that God has given you?
What about your finances? How did you spend the money that God has given you in 2020? Did you spend it wisely? Were you frivolous? How you spend the money that God has given you is a reflection of your values. What do you value? Is it godly? Or, worldly? On the flip side, are you a generous person? Did you give to others less fortunate than you? Most importantly, did you tithe? Did you give a portion of your gross income back to God? The Bible says that we are to give at least 10% of our income back to Him. Have you acknowledged your dependence on Him as the sustainer of your life?
As you reflect on 2020, ask God what He wants you to do for 2021. What is God’s purpose for your life? What has God called you to do? What has He made you for? What did you love to do as a little girl or boy? For me, it was music. I loved to sing, to make up songs, to play the piano and the violin. I loved singing in my school chorus. I loved singing hymns and worship songs in church.
Music has been my go-to for expressing deep sorrow and exhilarating joys in life. My mother was a choir director in the Philippines and the U.S. She was a singer and had a plan for me to become her accompanist. She bought piano books for me when I was still in her womb, and it worked. I started playing the piano in church at the age of nine. By the time I was 12 years old, I was playing for weddings, services, choirs, and competitions.
What has God called you to do, dear sisters and brothers? Ask those closest to you for their input as well. It may be more obvious than you think!
Creating Music Joy,
Grace Joy Reid
