WEEKLY WISDOM - RETREAT TO ADVANCE

Advance: to accelerate the growth or progress of, to bring or move forward

In the busiest time of our lives, many of us find it challenging to take time to create a rhythm or rest as the demands of life pull strongly on our egos promising to fulfill our deepest desires. Instead, life demands, and our egos keep creating this allure that we will finally arrive and reach the pinnacle in life when in essence it’s all a mirage.

Examining my own career early on, I spent more time looking at other men’s careers who were colleagues instead of spending my time in a place of meditation and solitude. The jaws of comparison continued to pull me into this spiral of deceit that was never life-giving. I began to think that my life and career paled in comparison to theirs. All this bred my insecurity which was so unhealthy.

What I discovered was that the more I retreated to a place of solace and spending time with God, I continued to receive downloaded information that was most important for me and where my value, skills, and talents would be best used. I could see the way that the Holy Spirit would lead me throughout the day. Things that I thought would be difficult and bring anxiety, suddenly started to be much easier.

I have found that the more I retreated the more advancement I made in every area of my life. What does that look like from a practical standpoint?

• Spending 15-20 minutes daily in meditation and concentration on scripture which gives life.

• Being able to listen to the Holy Spirit to allow Him to tell me what needs to be accomplished.

• Finding that He takes care of my schedule throughout the day.

It is a day by day walk with Him. The daily practice of “retreating to advance” done repeatedly will emerge as a fruitful habit that will produce life-giving results.

Jesus often retreated to get replenished and refreshed so that the will of the Father could be advanced.  Our challenge is creating a regular rhythm of retreat and it becomes consistent over time. In the retreat, you will be able to receive your assignment for the day, clarity on the most important things, confirmation of your worth, value regarding your identity in Him, a heart able to respond appropriately to challenging situations, and a mind ready to perform at its highest level. That propels you into your “Advance”. Give yourself twenty-one days of “retreat and advance” to establish rhythms and watch your world move from black and white to in living color.

This scripture made my heart leap: Psalm 119:97-102

97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.

Make a commitment to “retreat to advance” your life and leadership!

(EQUIPPING)

Exercise Your Power this week

1. Schedule one day in the next 30 days that’s devoted solely to your growth and development.  

2. Eliminate one thing in your life that does not bring life to you.
   

3. Create a daily rhythm of at least 5 minutes to spend sacred quite time with the Holy Spirit.