The Importance of Reflection, Part 2
Two weeks ago I mentioned that we schedule times of personal reflection during our retreat. But, in addition, we have a time at the very end of the retreat that we call “Reflections.” This is a time where we have the women consider what they have written down–how the Lord has spoken to their heart throughout the retreat. It could be something directly from the teachings, but often God speaks personally to the women through quiet times, through prayer times, through promise scriptures, through worship and through communion. We use this last hour of the retreat to give our women time to share with the whole group what God is doing in their lives, and how He has spoken to them. This is a time to share what God has done. I believe that sharing it both solidifies the truth for the one sharing, but it also ministers to the group as they hear how God has worked so individually in their friends’ lives.
Of course, because we women like to talk, time to share has to be limited to two or three minutes so that no one woman monopolizes the time. It has always been a blessing to hear how God has spoken so individually and meaningfully to those who choose to share.
What burdens you? We have family cares and worries, jobs, health issues, heavy responsibilities, even bad habits and besetting sin that weigh us down. One of the interesting things about the Christian life is what the Bible has to say about burdens. We are to cast all of our burdens on Him, because He cares for us (I Peter 5:7). If we are heavy-laden, Jesus tells us to come to Him and we’ll find rest because His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). He wants to carry our load for us. We are told not to worry, but to pray, and He will give us peace (Philippians 4:6-7). And of course, Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us that we are to lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us so that we can run the race, unencumbered. Sounds like God wants us free of any burdens that could overwhelm us and slow our progress.
Reflection…forming our thoughts after consideration. I think we’ve forgotten how to do it, or perhaps I should say that we just don’t take the time to really reflect on how God is working in our lives. For me, the days when I take time to write in my journal are the exception. Sometimes reflection just takes place while driving.
A breakout session is defined as “a small group session, held during the main event and formed to focus on specific subjects relevant to the gathering.” In a retreat setting, we have main sessions taught by the retreat speaker. The main sessions are attended by everyone and geared toward the entire group. Then, if the event schedule allows, we develop breakout sessions in order to target specific groups or interests. Here are a few breakout suggestions:
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