The following post was originally shared by Lisa Van Zoest, one of New Covenant Bible Church’s Global Outreach Partners. Lisa and her family have served in the mission field of Nicaragua for many years, sharing God’s love with the people there. We love how the experience Lisa shares here ties in so well with our recent Rhythms sermon series – practicing disciplines that allow us to grow closer to God. Thanks, Lisa!

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Throughout this pandemic season, I have found it difficult to be disciplined about spending time with God in the mornings. It has also been a challenge just to get things done as one day melds into the next. Time seems like a nebulous "blob" without external structure to keep me focused.

A few months ago, I intentionally set aside a few days to meet with God at a cabin in a wooded area. During my retreat with Him, I spent time just telling Him about my struggle. And at some point over the course of those two days, He responded with the following . . . "Lisa, just keep showing up. Even if it means spending five minutes with me in the morning. Even if you exercise a couple times a week. Even if your day is disorganized and ends with less than you hoped to accomplish. Just keep showing up. This is what counts."

Reassurance, peace, and grace washed over me as I allowed the words "just show up" to settle in my heart.

Following this retreat, a friend (I will call her Adele) emailed me to ask how my retreat went. I enjoyed sharing with her about what I learned and how God spoke to me. It was a month or two later when Adele then emailed me again, this time to ask if I knew of a place where she too could retreat with God.

My friend has endured many losses over the past year. I was excited for her to spend this time with God, but I knew that the cabin I had gone to for my retreat was reserved at no cost for those who are in full time ministry.

And then God brought another friend to mind (I will call her Tammy). This friend has also experienced significant loss over the past few years. Tammy "just happens" to own a house on a lake not far from where Adele lives. I emailed Tammy to ask if Adele could spend time at her lake house, retreating with God. Tammy was very excited to offer her home to Adele. And so, they set the dates for Adele's retreat.

Adele wrote to both Tammy and me following her retreat. With her permission, I will share some of what she wrote:

‘It was obvious God orchestrated me getting away because only He could place me in the home of a stranger like He did! He is amazing. When I first reached out to Lisa, I had no idea she would make a contact [with someone who owned a lake house]. I grew up boating and skiing. And I realized that my upbringing endeared me to where I was as well. I would look out at the lake and think of my family. It was just such a great fit for me.

I have never gotten away like that by myself for a "spiritual retreat." I got the idea from Lisa. I knew I needed to get away and be alone with the Lord. I wasn't really sure how to go about it. I packed a bag with my Bible, journal, devotionals and books I'd half-read or not started at all. God just led me to what I was supposed to read. And I walked almost all the way around the lake the first day and all the way around the second. And I napped. It was so strange not to have a schedule!'

Adele beautifully describes the essence of spending extended time alone with God. There is the freedom of no schedule. Rest and napping. He makes clear what to read and when to pray. He speaks "I know you" and "I am with you" and "I know what you need" and "I love you" over and over again when we allow ourselves to be still and listen. He knew I needed to hear the reassurance that "just showing up counts." He knew Adele needed to be physically located in a place that brought back life-giving memories of her family.

Taking a spiritual retreat was a practice that God led someone else to pass on to me and then He led me to pass it on to Adele. God used someone else's story of what it was like to carve out time for an annual retreat with God to inspire me to do the same.

I think God is quite motivated to get us alone with Him! I have confidence that He will create a hunger in the hearts of others to retreat with Him, too, and inspire others to do the same.

Peace to you,

Lisa (Dan, Rebekah, Will, and Daniel)