silence is golden …
Just got home from a wonderful silent retreat! God is good. I didn’t find it so easy to hear God or even pray … but what ministered to me this time was the seeking God together in community (we were ten participants) and the feeling of being carried in prayer.
The retreat was very different from the one I was on this time last year. That’s in part because I am in a very different place spiritually, but also because the leaders were different. What I missed most was the silent Holy Communion. That impacted me so deeply last year. But what I got in return this year was the ability to communicate with God through a prayer-dance and movement. That was good. And I picked up a sketch pad and colours too.
Each of us were given a fresh flower (and vase) when we arrived. Over the three days my flower opened right up … I felt it was a prophetic picture of what God is doing in my life. I’ve been closed to everything for a few weeks (because of a huge disappointment) and but slowly I’m learning to relax and open up again – and I’m glad about that. It will still be a roller-coaster ride for some time, but best of all I know I’m not alone. Not only is God with me, but He’s given me fellow pilgrims to journey with me – and for that I’m truly grateful.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I think that silence is highly under applied in our worship services. If we have more than a couple of minutes silence in a service people start to get a bit tetchy. ‘We are supposed to be doing something surely to engage with God!’ but letting go of our doings and holding to our beings needs restoration. I will be looking for the local silent retreat house that I mentioned to you soon. Thanks for the spiritual stimulous
.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Thanks Martin. Blessings xx