In times of trouble, it is important that we find a safe retreat. A place where we can think, pray, and gain strength to push forward. To retreat means to pull back for the purpose of regrouping to face the task. A spiritual retreat is a time intentionally set aside to withdraw from the daily tasks that can be so stressful. In a spiritual retreat, you are to take time to contemplate, look introspectively, and seek God’s direction in a place where you are not bombarded with the cares of this world.
I believe Paul had a spiritual retreat after his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. In the first chapter of Galatians, Paul talks about what happened to him after his conversion. In verses 11 and 12, he assures them that the gospel came to him by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Paul reminds the Galatians that before his conversion, he had persecuted those who believed in Jesus as their Savior. He was zealous for the Jewish faith and was opposed to anyone or anything that was not in keeping with the traditions of the Jews. But one day God revealed His Son to Paul. It was such a spiritual revelation that after Paul’s sight was restored at Damascus, he soon retreated to the desert of Arabia.
Galatians 1:13-17 “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.”
What Paul did during his three-year stay in Arabia is not documented, but most believe he went to the desert to deepen his faith and to come to know Jesus in a one-on-one relationship. Since Jesus had met with him on the road to Damascus, it is not a far stretch to think he met with him in the desert of Arabia. Paul was always seeking God once he was converted. He needed instructions for his new ministry. This would have been a time of preparation for Paul. He would have been able to search the Old Testament scriptures to see how the redemption of the entire world was planned by God and made possible by Jesus.
Galatians 1:18 “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.”
Paul’s life would never be the same after he met Jesus, and neither should ours be. Paul gives us good examples to follow. When we know Christ as our Savior, we should continually seek to know Him more. When you love someone, you delight in spending time with them. Not just time reading about them, but quality alone time with them. This is how we should feel about Jesus. How much time do you spend with Jesus daily? Is it quality time where distractions are minimal? Are you eager to wake early while everyone else is asleep just to spend time with Him? Each of us needs a safe retreat to spend time with the Lord. A place to pray, meditate on His word, think about His goodness, and the future we have with Him. If you read through the books that Paul wrote, you will find this is exactly what he did.
