Retreat

How rooted are you?

I recently took part in an online retreat run by Velvet Ashes (//retreat.velvetashes.com) and designed particularly for women in mission overseas (although anyone in Christian ministry could benefit). The theme this year was Sustain; the image an air plant which has no roots and only requires light and water to survive. 

Moving away from the country and culture you've grown up in, following where God leads across the world, brings home very effectively that, though it's always so painful to tear up roots, all we really need to thrive is the light and water of Jesus Christ.

Whichever country I've found myself, in the only firm and constant realities are God's love, Jesus' sacrifice and the Holy Spirit's indwelling guidance.  That's all that's really needed and if we hold onto that knowledge then God brings everything else; many things that make life pleasant, many challenges that help us grow into the people he wants us to be.

The air plant needs no roots to survive but sometimes it grows one anyway, reaching out to connect with its environment. Just like us. It probably hurts when it's torn up too.

One of the messages of this retreat reaffirmed to me that God doesn't need our efficiency or us to be in the position where, in our opinion, our talents would be best used; he wants us. In vulnerability and availability.  That's what he's chosen to use to reach the world with the good news of Jesus and that's how he chooses to shape his children into the best they can be.  His idea of best, not the world's. So, don't feel guilty for feeling inadequate, don't think you have to be able to do it all, don't feel bad for actually enjoying many aspects of where God's put you and for accepting the periods of rest he offers. God's perfectly able to fill in the gaps, to see behind the scenes, and to make amazing and beautiful things grow from the shrivelled up seeds we can offer him. His strength is made perfect in weakness and it's wonderful.