Sometime ago, I was teaching in Church when these words came out of my spirit; “Don’t wait until you need retreat before you retreat.” It was such a sharp instruction from God’s Spirit to everyone that day. Truly, it is a mark of wisdom to retreat before you need one. Don’t run on empty.
Friend, don’t run on empty. The truth is, you can either retreat by force or by choice. Champions know when to go on personal retreats for renewal and refreshing; they schedule it within their regular activities (Mark 1:35). When you don’t retreat deliberately, you would be forced by life and circumstances to do so.
The same Elijah that stood alone against the 400 prophets of Baal had to take to his heels with just a statement of threat from Jezebel (1 Kings 18:17-40, 19:1-4). What has changed? Elijah was high and on fire when he confronted the prophets of Baal; but at a point, he became exhausted due to ministry demands. Listen, you cannot afford to keep running on empty.
We don’t only retreat because we have problem, we retreat so that we won’t enter into one (Matthew 26:41, Luke 4:1-14). We retreat to rest, renew, review, refresh, and refire. Exhaustion would come naturally to the man who does not schedule regular retreats. If God had to “retreat” after six days of exploits, I don’t think anyone can survive without taking regular time-offs (Genesis 2:2-3).
Jesus placed a high premium on regular retreats. He did it by choice (Mark 6:31). A lot of people are too busy to even have time to eat. Are you so busy that you don’t even have time to eat? Are you so busy that you hardly have quality time with God? Are you too busy to fast and pray? Are you so busy that getting God’s mind for your life is alien to your walk and activities?
Don’t be deceived by performance; that you are still “happening” does not mean that you would continue to happen (2 Corinthians 13:5). Champions have learnt the secret of performance management; they schedule regular retreats deliberately. Don’t run on empty.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria