Our Retreat

The first night we were there, we talked about the word “retreat”. The idea of a quiet walk in the woods, a sandy beach, or a log cabin in the mountains with a cozy fire blazing comes to mind when I think of that word. Escape seems too strong for what I’m seeking. I really just need a getaway. A retreat. A private, safe place where I can withdraw from the stress that I’m facing. A time away from the daily grind for quiet reflection. Time alone with God. I just need to catch my breath.

But there are times in life that the purpose of my solitude is not merely quiet reflection. I realize that I am in a battle and quite honestly, it isn’t going well and I feel like I’m losing. I am in a spiritual battle and I am battle weary. I need to retreat. It reminds me of a scene from an old war movie where the soldiers are shown dodging explosions, then turning and running away in utter chaos from the battle because they think they are losing. In the background someone is always yelling “Retreat! Retreat!” That is not a true picture of a military retreat. That would correctly be called a rout. Militarily, a retreat is a highly organized, strategic plan that requires high levels of discipline. The purpose of the retreat is to avoid defeat and disengage in order to regroup, reorganize, and come up with a plan to reengage the enemy. This seems to be exactly what I need to do as I fight against my spiritual enemy. 

Furthermore, when a military unit retreats, it is not chaotic. There is purpose and intent. As the unit withdraws from contact with the enemy, there is always a rear guard that is left behind to cover and protect the movement. The retreating army is never left exposed to attack without defense.

This weekend, we saw how the principles of a military retreat parallel our needs in spiritual battles. We soon realized that each of us had our own reasons for coming to the retreat. Some came to get alone with God for a time of refreshing, reflection, and renewal. Others came needing a safe place to regroup, reorganize, and come up with a plan for the battle that they are engaged in. Some just came to catch their breath. But all of us came needing a rear guard to cover us in prayer.

-Laura Vasquez