By Arkansas Baptist News

[Perspective]Purposeful practices of rest and retreat

By Arkansas Baptist News

Sean Milliken, Arkansas Baptist Ranch Director of Operations 

Recently, while playing a trivia game with my family, I was surprised to hear from our (unsubstantiated) trivia source that eight hours of work per week is the ideal amount of time for maintaining optimal mental health. Upon hearing this, I assumed it was a misprint by the publisher. If not a misprint, the statement certainly arose from a perspective misaligned with a biblical theology of work. Still, it begged the question- how should Christians steward our time between work and rest in a God-honoring manner that recognizes human limitations?  

If you have ever struggled carrying a full five-gallon bucket in one hand, you may have found it easier to carry the load by counterbalancing it with an equivalent weight in your other hand. Though the thought of easing our load by doubling it seems foolish–such is the physics of the bilaterally symmetric human frame. Unfortunately, this same solution is not universally applicable in our work lives. When fatigued, overwhelmed, and weary in our work, it is unwise to merely adopt longer work hours, pick up more weight, or relentlessly push our way through. The Bible offers rest as the appropriate counterbalance to our labors.: “One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NASB).  

We all need regular and purposeful times of rest—not mere inactivity and passivity. Ecclesiastes 4:6 pictures rest as something that the wise purposefully lay hold of to avoid the frustrations that arise from overwork. Jesus taught and modeled a disciplined rhythm of ministry toil followed by times of rest and retreat.  

In the fall of 2024, the Arkansas Baptist Children’s & Family Ministries (ABCFM) launched a new retreat-focused ministry at Arkansas Baptist Ranch in Harrison. The impetus behind the retreat ministry is the conviction that spiritually focused retreats are a proven way for Christians to experience rest and renewal of body and soul. Since our retreat ministry launch, the Ranch has hosted an array of retreats: marriage retreats, missionary training retreats, children’s ministry service-learning retreats, song writing retreats, collegiate ministry retreats, church staff planning retreats, and solitude retreats for pastors and their families. Feel free to contact the Ranch to discuss possibilities for hosting your next spiritual retreat.  

While there is no one-size-fits-all retreat model, below you will find a handful of ideas to aid in planning your time of spiritual rest and retreat: 

  • The word “retreat” indicates a withdrawal from the front lines to a place of refuge, so aim to leave your work and daily burdens (and dinging devices) behind when possible. 
  • Sketch out a basic purpose, goal, and schedule for your retreat, but don’t over-fill or over-plan your time.  
  • Maintain a focus on spiritual renewal and pray for God’s guidance and grace.  
  • Integrate fasting, solitude, quiet, enriching reading, or spiritual counseling into your retreat.  
  • Utilize the spiritual benefits of enjoying God’s creation: consider the lilies (Luke 12:27) and consider the heavens (Psalm 8:3). 
  • Set aside time to recall the goodness and faithfulness of God and then rejoice! 
  • Spend substantial time in the Word that it may revive you (Ps 119:25).  
  • Slow down, sleep late, and spend extended time seeking the Lord in prayer.  

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