Permission to Rest: Creating Space for Solitude with God (Part 2)

Some of the deepest spiritual growth I’ve experienced in my life with God has happened during retreats focused on silence and solitude. So, what happened on the retreat I mentioned in the last blog?

Rest, Reflection, and Renewal

I rested. I ate well. I read and studied my Bible to my heart’s content. I prayed, pondered, and delighted in God’s creation while kayaking on the lake. I picked up journaling again—something I hadn’t done in a few years. I listened to worship music and sang out loud. I napped in the sun. I cried and grieved some personal losses. I sat in silence. And in all of it, God was there with me.

No, I didn’t come away with all the answers. I didn’t suddenly become more spiritual. And I wasn’t quite ready to go home when it ended. But I received strength in a way I’d never experienced before. God was simply present—loving me, being with me, letting me bring my whole self to Him. He spoke in the silence, through Scripture, and even through the beautiful creation surrounding me. We both enjoyed it immensely.

When I returned home, I noticed something: I loved my family a little more, and I felt renewed in spirit for the ministry we were returning to overseas. I also felt closer to God.

A Long-Standing but Often Forgotten Practice

For almost two thousand years, Christians have embraced spiritual retreat as a sacred practice—an opportunity to draw near to God, process inner struggles, confess, discern, and simply be with Him. So why was this never part of my church tradition?

We had “retreats,” but they were packed with people, singing, sermons, meetings, sports, crafts, and endless conversation (especially at women’s retreats!). While these had value, they offered little space for silence and solitude with God.

Finding a New Path

Because my tradition didn’t teach this practice, I had to seek encouragement and ideas elsewhere. When my husband and I entered a Sabbatical, I was encouraged to take a retreat. A coach wrote one specifically for me based on my season of life.

Those three days in the mountains were life-giving. Inspired by her creativity, I explored new ways to spend time with God—drawing word art, playing my guitar, hiking, praying, and marvelling at stunning mountain vistas. God’s Word ministered deeply as I paused, reflected, and meditated on the Psalms, His holy prayer book. I was facing some pivotal life transitions, and I was able to surrender them to God. It was exactly what I needed. Again, I was deeply grateful.

Training in Solitude

During my training in spiritual direction (which I prefer to call spiritual companioning), I was assigned four spiritual retreats—lasting 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours. Each was unique in its preparation, location, and the way God met me there. Every retreat nourished my spiritual life in a different way, each with its own set of blessings.

Making Space for God

Now that I’ve discovered the beauty of getting away with God for longer periods of time, I’m intentional about it. I sit down with my calendar, pray over potential dates, and choose locations where I can either get away or stay overnight. Because if I don’t plan for it, it won’t happen. Life gets busy. Responsibilities pile up. But isn’t that true for anything good in life—vacations, family reunions, bucket-list adventures? What doesn’t get planned usually doesn’t happen.

Coming Up: Practical Help for You

Maybe you’re wondering how you could try this too—especially on a budget. In the final blog of this series, I’ll share what I’ve learned that might help you get started. I’ll also be writing some guided retreats and posting them in the Scripture Union store. 

So let me ask you:

When will you take your first (or next) retreat?

What obstacles seem to get in the way?

Jenny Meeker

Jenny is a spiritual companion and Selah program graduate, passionate about helping others listen deeply to God.

After 27 years of cross-cultural ministry in Croatia with her husband and raising four sons, she experienced a season of transition and spiritual dryness that led her to discover the healing gift of spiritual companionship. She now offers others the same grace-filled space to grow in intimacy with God.

RENEW Ministry