“…But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”
LUKE 5:16 (NLT)
Did you wake up this morning with more on your to-do list than you could accomplish? Each day, we rise with the desire to do more with less, squeeze in one more thing, say “yes” one more time. The pressure comes from all around us—work, family, home, friends, faith organizations—and, (drumroll) ourselves.
The word "retreat" means “to move back.” The irony? That’s how you make forward progress. It’s as counterintuitive as the law of diminishing returns—less is more.
If you want to make or break a habit, it’s a lot like learning a new dance. You must slow it down before you can speed it up. Simply put, you cannot hurry habits. You have to retreat in order to advance. Ever feel like Alice in Wonderland, running as fast as you can to keep up with life’s Red Queen but never gaining ground? How do we escape the endless cycle of busyness? By taking a step back—day off, phone off. Get off the Grid.
The Bible shows us how often Jesus withdrew. He climbed mountains, walked along beaches, sailed across the Sea of Galilee, and even spent 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus operated with urgency yet was unhurried. Japanese theologian Kōsuke Koyama describes Him as the “three-mile-an-hour God.
In Genesis 2, after six days of creation, God rested. The Hebrew word "shabat" means to stop, cease, or celebrate. It’s not just rest—it’s a delight-filled pause to enjoy creation, relationships, and God Himself. Work and rest aren’t enemies; they’re partners in a balanced life. The Jewish practice of Sabbath teaches us the art of "menuha"—a restfulness that is also a celebration.
Corrie ten Boom once said, “If the devil cannot make us bad, he will make us busy.” That’s why the Sabbath is essential. It’s not just a day off; it’s a day to delight, to look back over the work of the past six days and enjoy. As we cultivate rest, we create an atmosphere of joy and gratitude.
At the end of each year, consider a retreat—a deliberate pause to reflect and recalibrate. Review gratitude journals, set goals, and pick a word or verse for the year. A change of pace plus a change of place often leads to a change of perspective.
Change of pace + Change of place = Change of perspective
This January, begin your year with intention. Take the time to slow down, pause, and create space for what truly matters. Make rest a rhythm, not a reward. You’ll find that stepping back is the first step forward.