Refresh Weekend
Session 1: Orientation
Welcome & Introductions (participants and facilitators)
Why we’re here: to get away, to get a lift, and to get connected–to ourselves, within ourselves, slowing down long enough to catch up with ourselves, to others, to God; in what ever order God has in mind.
Most of us are activists. We’re busy at home, at work, at church, wherever. Jesus also had many demands on his time, but he modeled taking time away.
Over the next twenty-four hours, you will get a chance to practice a few “spiritual disciplines.” That can be an imposing term, but think of spiritual disciplines as simple steps that we can take to make the life of the Spirit more accessible. Like the physical disciplines of eating, resting, breathing, working, sleeping, the spiritual disciplines are things we do to access God’s presence. Because we human beings are not meant to live alone from God.
Taking time away is a spiritual discipline…it’s called “Sabbath”; so congratulations, you’ve already made a good beginning. We’d all do it more–taking time away like this, that is–if we knew we could survive or even enjoy it. That’s what this weekend is about. How to spend time like this. Hopefully it’s something you can make a habit of doing.
Many of us have a difficult time being alone with God. “I have discovered that all the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they are unable to stay quietly in their own room.” -Paschal
During this Refresh Weekend, we’ll offer you a few tools:
- Praying at intervals through the day
- Meditating on Scripture
- Silence & Stillness.
In addition to these simple ways of being with God, you will have the opportunity to be with others through sharing your story (if you wish) and listening to the stories of others in small group sessions. (We’ll share more about how to do this later this evening.)
But remember, spiritual disciplines don’t lend themselves to instant gratification. A young child may eat his Wheaties and wonder if he’s grown since the last bowl, but it doesn’t work that way. At first, the disciplines help you to wind down, not up, to relax, to make space for God. They need time to develop. So think of this as a beginning.And by all means, go easy on the instant evaluation (Is this working?) You don’t pull the new tomato plant out of the soil every ten minutes to see if it’s sending down a good root system.
Review Schedule
At least for this weekend not in a hurry. If you use the bathroom, take your time! By the simple act of not hurrying, we will make ourselves more present to God. If possible, turn your cell phones off.
And remember: This is not a time to evaluate-criticize your relationship with God.
It’s a weekend to slow down, to be available. To let go of expectations. We’re not here to accomplish anything.
We’re not here to improve ourselves or be more effective anythings. We’re not here to have a great spiritual experience. (Some of you might need a little nap more than a quiet time tomorrow. Just say to the Lord, “I’m a human being. And I think I need a little nap now. Would you be with me here while I nap?”)
We’re here to slow down, have time available for being present to the beautiful creation, to ourselves, to God. What He chooses to do with the time is up to him.
If you have a besetting sin, area of weakness, character flaw, we encourage you not to focus on it today. There will be time to fuss about that later…Today is about making a little space for God in your life…as He is, as You are.
We’ll have time to relax and enjoy a bit of the outdoors. Consider a practice called, walking mindfully, or attentively. Spend first 5-10 minutes to focus your attention on the sights around you; look carefully and attentively at your surroundings as you walk. Then spend 5-10 minutes focusing your attention on the sounds around you, whatever they may be. Followed by 5-10 minutes noticing the smells; then 5-10 minutes focusing on what you can feel through touch–the wind on your face, the warmth of the sun, stop to touch the grass or a tree…you get the idea.