When we examine the life of Jesus, we discover that He would sometimes retreat from the crowds, and even from His disciples, to recharge spiritually.
“He departed to a solitary place . . .” (Mark 1:35)
“He departed to a mountain . . .” (Mark 6:46)
“Jesus went to a desert place apart . . .” (Matt. 14:36)
The word “depart” in Greek means to leave, go away, or retreat.
My co-author Leonard Sweet has pointed out that sometimes Jesus would retreat to a mountain. Other times He would retreat to the desert. And others times He would retreat near water. Three natural places that help restore the soul to its spiritual, physical, and emotional harmony.
Jesus was not only God, but He was the prototype of the perfect human.
As humans, we all need times of retreat from work and ministry to recharge, refocus, and re-create.
What are your favorite places for vacation and retreat? Be specific – city, state, country, and retreat spot.
The Missio Dei
When I lived in Cape Coral, FL, there was a small strip of beach in the next city over that you could drive on to (Very rare in that part of Florida) that has a nice sandbar just off the coast. During low tide, you can walk out onto the sandbar, up to almost a 1/4-mile out into the Gulf. In years past, I would go there and walk out just to be alone and meditate, listen to God, etc. Unfortunately, the beach in recent years became known as a hook up spot for homosexuals and kind of ruined things.
Here in California, I haven’t yet found a spot, but considering we have mountains, desert and beaches, I should be okay.
I will go to Bali, Indonesia, it has many beautiful beaches there, but my fav is Petitenge beach..Its not crowded,great seaview, n its so private that I can enjoy there for hours. If you looking for hideaways, peace, mystery, enjoyment, refreshness..then this will be the great place to go. I plan to go there next June, n hope to get all of that comfort above 🙂
Before I had kids, and when I lived in New Mexico, I loved going to my inlaws’ cabin near Angel Fire.
Now…well…I can’t remember the last time I had any type of “retreat” experience. I’m lucky if I can get a couple of hours to myself at a coffee shop a couple of times a month.
the Ocean! As big and GINORMOUS as the ocean is, I’m reminded that God is bigger. His love for me is wider and my sins are buried deeper than the deepest point. looking at the sea shells, i’m reminded that he treasures me, just as I love finding the neat shells when i visit.
i love listening to the waves as they roll in and out.
i wish i were heading there soon
@spreadingJOY
Upper Lake Michigan and the west coast of Michigan is beautiful! Love the isolated beauty of the huge lake, beautiful beaches. Fantastic place to think, explore and pray.
I have recharged in all three venues. Each has it’s own unique quality that helps me get in touch with God and myself to rest and recharge.
We started to build a retreat place for Bro’s and Sisters in 2003 but plans got off track with our partners. Now we are in a rural but easily accessible location in Alaska surrounded by many acres of quite and beauty. I retreat frequently into my “backyard”, many times with a chainsaw but frequently I am cut deeper than the trees I am harvesting. I am content with my surroundings, family and friends so far-away vacations would mostly be to seek fellowship with Bro/Sisters.
Like!!! I so want to do some hiking in Alaska…someday!!! 🙂
I walk the beach on Siesta Key most every day and I also love the Rockies.
I especially like the ocean. I like the way I see God as so exspansive in the sky and the ocean which never end. I also like the desert. I have lived in the desert and after leaving I realized how much I liked it. ( you don’t realize what you have until it is gone, sort of circumstance) And yes I like the mountains too. My favorite part of creation is trees. I believe they are the best architecture God created.So I enjoy the mountains and hills with the rivers and creeks running through them.
I live in Middle Tennessee.
The Apuseni Mountains in Western Romania is a place I love to recharge at. We can be there in about an hour and a half and there are days and days of options for backpacking/hiking.
If I’m in America, the Smoky Mountains are not far from Nashville and make a great “escape” from work.
Backpacking and hiking recharge my creative juices. Just about anywhere will do!
Once a year my mother, my sister, her husband, her kids, and my crew all go to the beach at Fort Morgan, AL. There’s a beach house there we stay in, and I take all the kids to play on the beach while all the adults do their own thing. I take my notebook, food to last for hours, and my camera. No phones allowed. None needed. I write all day while I’m surrounded by the beautiful happiness of my kids. Completely unplugged from the world, pen to paper, and a bit of freedom.
Love it, Chad!!! You just spoke my heart, Bro!!!
Every day, what ever the weather I walk 3 miles through forest and riverside and that is where I get my ‘daily bread’. I would not miss it for the world, it is so relaxing. I get more food in those 2 hours than any church meetings. LOVE IT. I live in Devon, England. on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
@Chad: You should be a real estate agent, because I’m sold! 🙂 When can me, my wife and 2 kids move in? 🙂
Christ in the Wilderness is a great location in northwestern Illinois. 80 acres of woods, paths, places to meditate and pray. Only 3 “hermitages” so there is always lots of solitude. I try to get there every year or 2 for 3 days.
Paternoster. Picturesque fishing village on the Cape West Coast in South Africa.
We are totally spoilt for choice here in Tasmania. Beaches, mountains, rivers, forests, lakes – all of which we could visit in a few hours or less. I’m a big fan of recreation these days (we just purchased a retro pop top caravan! 🙂 And miini retreats are something we can all benefit from and find the time for regularly – I love to walk down to our beach and sit on a rock in silence. These moments are pure gold.
I am jealous, can I come. Is it hard to find work down there or any farms that take interns.
Anywhere foreign to me. Like being in a city where nobody speaks the langage I usually speak. That might sound odd to most people, but it forces my brain to do a hard reboot. It has to have nice weather also. So if you were to drop me off in Marakesh, Morocco let’s say, it forces my brain from just running on a treadmill to a full out sprint!
Sitting on a beach is nice, but I’ll get bored after the second day. I have to experience something completely new.
The woods (or any hiking trail) have been my place of retreat since I was a young girl … no other place (or activity) more quickly draws me to Him. 🙂
Goulais Bay, Northern Ontario Canada, nestled right off the mighty Lake Superior.
I’m a Michigander, so, vacationing where it’s cold doesn’t matter much.
Lovely brethren group that meets in the area to fellowship when we are there…
Just costs us a 6 hour drive and groceries…the cabin itself is free 🙂
My most frequented place to go away to is ‘asleep’. Doesn’t matter if it’s the floor, a bed, a sofa, even sitting at the table. Plus, and even I’m not sure about this, but having studied at Moody Bible Institute, and earning quite a hefty debt studying at Denver Seminary and a local Church-based program, I have found ‘unemployment’ to be quite refreshing. I don’t mean to offend. Plus sleep and unemployment cost very little!
My favorite retreat spot is The Hermitage in Three Rivers Michigan. Silence, but not absolutely so. Plenty of solitude. A great place to listen to God — and to nature. A lot of hiking trails. My goal is going twice a year — but I’m a bit behind in that.
I’m a busy mom that hasn’t much opportunity for extended alone time, but I do like to go outside after dark and meet God under the stars. Before child raising started though, I would take off to hike favorite trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Waynesboro, VA.
There’s beautiful Botanical Gardens in Castlemaine Victoria where I walk, this is the best place to walk and pray
My regular “frequent” retreats would be reclining in my comfortable poolside lounger during all seasons of the year, and regular jogs on the track or trails. My less frequent, but favorite retreats would be the mountains, a cozy cabin, hiking on trails with no electronics (except for a little music now and then)…fresh air and nature all around.
It’s not so much only the location that helps to recharge but just getting in the car and driving away from the city and routines of life up to the mountains through Sedona, AZ and further North to sit on the edge of the Grand Canyon and taking it in until you realize the peace of it all.
I’m sure the garden of Gethsemane was beautiful. Jesus would often take his disciples there. I’m headed to Aquarena Springs in San Marcos, Texas right now 🙂
Anywhere here in New Zealand!
Walks in Newlands forest, or up Lions Head, or Signal hill. Once in a while along the the beach in Muizenberg, and maybe a hike up Table Mountain. Cape Town is full of little places perfect for seeking the Lord in solitary. Maybe that’s why some of the most inspired Christians live here… 🙂
Man. I don’t know what it is but you just seem to be afresh with the breath of God on you. Reading all of these posts on things you have written before has actually been refreshing instead of recurring or redundant or whatever other ‘re’ you want to put on there. I just really feel a new announcing of the spirit of grace on you in these latest posts. Man, thanks for just pressing into the Lord and being a servant. I pray this just abounds more and more in you and those around you. Blessings.
I love to be outdoors. There’s so much of the Lord to be seen in nature. I grew up in the mountains, so I prefer that over the beach, but I love being near water. Something about moving water is very soothing. We’ve vacationed in TN the last couple of years in the Smokey Mountains and spend time hiking various trails (now that our kids are old enough to handle some hiking)to see waterfalls, animal life, beautiful lookouts, etc. I live fairly close to the beach and love to go there throughout the year.
Any where outside. Last fall we purchased a house out in the country, actually its on the prairie. There is a tree in the backyard with a swing and I find myself there a lot just talking to the Lord and looking up at the big beautiful blue Oklahoma sky. Even though there are not a lot of trees or water near by, the prairie has it’s own kind of beauty and I can appreciate that.
My second job are the fruit orchards on my farm. I get much quiet time with God when pruning and weeding and harvesting etc. When I can get away I like to camp, hunt and fish in our immense outdoors here in north central British Columbia.
I live about 30 minutes from the Smoky Mountains, so not having to drive a long way makes retreating even more enjoyable! I like to find a nice isolated cabin in the mountains with a good view and a hot tub. I take my Bible and maybe a few books, and only leave perhaps to have a meal at a local restaurant.
Our favorite spot to get away is Zion National Park. My husband is an artist (oil paints) and he loves to recreate that beauty on canvas. I love the hiking and the striking beauty of the place. But it is far from where we live so we have a little private retreat about 40 minutes away with trees, a small lake, and hiking trails. I am so grateful to have a place like this to restore our souls and get away from the phone and just be quiet.
Oh, that sounds awesome! What city and state?
Sally,
I am currently planning a “recharging” trip to Zion after an orphan conference I will be attending in Los Angeles. Can’t wait to get out hiking and backpacking! Zion is one beautiful place!
Galveston,Tx. I love the beach! I also like to go to parks near lakes.
Key West, Florida. I love the beach. It’s my favorite retreat place.
Hilton Head, SC is my favorite retreat place. Staying in a hotel, laying by the pool, visiting the shops and restaurants. Recharges beautifully.
I’ve been to Hilton Head once. Really liked it. Great scenery. One of the restaurants was on the water. Can’t remember the name (had “blue” in it as I recall). Loved that place. Would like to vacation there again. Great choice!
I hit a local monastery right outside our City (Syracuse) twice a year for about 2 days each time for silence, reading the psalms, journalism and self-inspection.
No desert near Charlotte, few solitary places. I usually drive to the mountains in 2 hours. The modern problem is actually getting or taking time to do this. It has to be budgeted into your lifestyle choices. But time alone changes thought patterns, and spiritual ideas seem to flow (and a sermon can get way too long, LOL) This question makes me want to plan time with the Father. Alone. Away from all other commitments. Maybe you meant it to do that? MOUNTAINS
Yes, we easily forget about retreat, recreation, and vacation in the midst of our busy lives. So reminders are helpful.
I’m with Jesus, mountains, rivers, lakes, waters. Not so much on the desert part, but I definitely like to get into nature whether that’s my back yard or the woods or camping or hiking. Just a place to NOT think about what I usually do. I even like to read to recharge, being solitary brings respite and peace.
Hmm…not really any of these places in Texas. 🙂
I need to plan to do this, though, as it was obviously a beneficial thing to do.