First, some reflections on origin...

re·treat

Pronunciation:
\ri-'trēt\

Function:
noun

Etymology:
Middle English retret, from Anglo-French retrait, from past participle of retraire to withdraw, from Latin retrahere, from re- + trahere to draw

Date:
14th century

1a (1): an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable.

Why is it that the mere mention of "Retreat" makes many of us find any conceivable reason to do just that – retreat and seek justification to avoid going? Life gets in the way, a weekend "lost" places us further behind on commitments to family, work and projects around the house. Why do we so fight the opportunity to "withdraw from what is difficult, dangerous or disagreeable"? This pattern of "avoidance" once again took control when I read of the coming men’s retreat at Covenant Harbor, February 27-March 1.

Then, one by one, my arguments began to weaken. The schedule conveniently coincides with the "winterfest" experience for 3rd-5th graders, and two of our kids will already be there. Next, Kristin was quick to remind me that those severely delayed house projects will surely not progress whether I am home or away! Lastly, I started to recognize a hunger among other men in our church to attend, and started to get excited about the relationships that may form in deeper ways.

This Retreat is a tradition among 30+ men from Winnetka Covenant Church, and has been gaining momentum at other churches. This year, Doug Wysockey-Johnson and Brian Madvig will be reflecting on "Safe Investments in Anxious Times: The Jesus Way of Relationships." The study and discussion will focus on Jesus' pattern of developing full relationships with other men, and how a core "investment" in regular meeting, accountability, prayer and support can help us all to grow in Christ and with each other while strengthening our relationships at home and at work. In today’s world, it seems ever more apparent that we should work harder to build our relationships on "rock" vs. "sand."

Further, the opportunity to build lasting relationships with men from other Covenant churches always provides a wonderful perspective on our shared mission (and struggle). I am also confident that study will be balanced by free time and great fellowship – a base requirement for a group of men with an admittedly limited attention span.

So I am "in," reluctantly! I, the king of all procrastination, have decided not to fight this blessing anymore. Will you join me? What if we all went? How might we begin to strengthen each other, and how might God begin to use us in more productive ways in furthering our shared mission at LCC? I know many of you have very valid conflicts that weekend, but I also see some hesitation and "avoidance" behavior. Jump in, let’s commit to this together, and let’s see what God may have in store.