[Camino]: Annual Three-Day Self-Guided Retreat for Reflection, Re-imagination, and Rest
In our spiritual journey, wherever we begin, stand, or aim to go, God calls us to experience Him through abiding, aligning, and actualizing in His love. These cycles of spiritual life take root in our lives by embracing these three focal disciplines:
Presence: This embodies abiding, highlighting the importance of spending time with God and resting securely in His love. Engage in pausing, praying, embracing His peace, feeling protected, and persevering in His presence.
Perspective: This involves aligning by shedding the false self and rediscovering our true self through God's values. It leads to surrendering to His will by undergoing a process of refinement, prioritizing, and positioning ourselves to become a new pathfinder for His purpose.
Peacemaking: This involves actualizing God's purpose by fostering reconciliation and re-establishing peace (shalom) on earth. It means responding to the call to practice God's will—justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8)—and becoming the person He intended us to be: a shalom-maker (children of God, Matt. 5:9). Pursue, participate, practice, and make progress as we humbly journey with God toward His divine purpose.
With these in mind, I invite you into a three-day self-guided retreat of reflection, reimagination, and rest:
Day 1: Reflection Examen:
As we step into the new year, take this time to reflect on your journey and recognize God's presence last year in moments of joy, struggle, and everything in between. Follow these specific, self-guided steps for your examen:
Create a Sacred Space: Choose a quiet location where you can be undisturbed. Enhance the atmosphere by lighting a candle or playing gentle music to foster tranquility. Sit comfortably and take several deep breaths to calm your spirit. As you breathe in, invite God's presence into this sacred moment, feeling a sense of peace and readiness for reflection.
Reflect on the Past Year: Gently close your eyes and breathe deeply, allowing your mind to journey through last year's events. As memories surface, acknowledge moments where you experienced God's presence, whether in times of joy, trials, or everyday life. Briefly note each event without dwelling too long on any single one. Recognize the emotions you felt during these experiences. With each deep breath, visualize these moments clearly, and ask God for guidance on what lessons to cherish and what burdens to release as you transition onward.
Embrace Closure: Focus on the closure of this past year by identifying aspects you need to let go of or release. Consider any lingering burdens, regrets, or unresolved emotions. Breathe deeply and consciously release them, trusting in God's wisdom and grace to guide your path forward.
Set Intentions for Letting Go: Allow yourself time to jot down specific intentions related to what you want to release from the previous year. As you write, take deep breaths and ask for God's strength and wisdom to let go with peace. Pause after each intention to feel its significance and how it aligns with your journey towards inner freedom.
Practice Gratitude: Take this moment to express gratitude for how God showed up last year. Reflect on the blessings and lessons, both big and small, that have contributed to your spiritual growth. Acknowledge how these experiences have shaped you and express gratitude for the insights gained.
Seek Ongoing Support: Plan regular check-ins with yourself and God to continue this journey of reflection and release. Consider who you might invite into your life to keep you accountable, encouraged, and challenged, fostering a supportive community that shares in your reflections and growth.
Rest: Conclude your reflection with a period of rest. Find a comfortable position and allow your body and mind to relax completely. In this restful state, let go of any remaining tension or stress, trusting in God's presence to rejuvenate your spirit. Embrace the stillness as a sacred gift, allowing it to restore and prepare you for the journey ahead.
Day 2: Reimagination Prayer Exercise:
Engage in this contemplative prayer exercise to explore your deepest longings and desires in the presence of Jesus and integrate them into a journey of reimagination.
Create Your Sacred Space: Choose a quiet, comfortable location free from distractions. Light a candle or play gentle music to establish a peaceful atmosphere. Take deep breaths to center yourself, inviting God's presence into your reimagination process.
Search Your Heart: With your eyes closed, breathe deeply and identify your sincere longings, desires, and hopes for the new year. As you think of each, envision placing them one by one on a table before Jesus, allowing yourself to be open and honest about what you truly seek.
Assess Your Desires: Step back and observe the table. Discern whether each longing arises from fear or love. Reflect on whether these are things you genuinely need or want. Invite God's wisdom to guide your evaluation. Listen for His voice in your heart.
Dialogue with Jesus: In your imagination, invite Jesus to place His hopes for you on the table as well. Observe what He adds, and engage in an honest conversation with Him. Speak openly, knowing He loves you dearly. Listen deeply to His thoughts and feel His love and care.
Match Desires: Identify if there are any matching desires between your own and His. If so, recognize these as a clear path forward, setting them aside with anticipation and hope for the year. For any mismatched hopes, consider Jesus' perspective, but ultimately, make your own choices, embracing your God-given free will.
Reflect on Motivation: Contemplate whether your choices are driven by fear or love. Seek clarity and insight from Jesus to ensure your path aligns with love and faith. Remember that in love, there is freedom.
Capture Your Vision: Write down key insights, images, or ideas that arose during your dialogue with Jesus. Allow your thoughts to flow freely, capturing the essence of your imagined future with divine guidance. These notes will serve as a tangible reminder of your vision.
Take Action Steps: Identify one or two small, actionable steps you can take in the coming days to align with the desires and hopes you've clarified in prayer. Write them down and commit to these actions as expressions of dedication to the path you and Jesus envisioned.
Rest in Assurance: Conclude this exercise by resting in the assurance that your future is filled with promise and potential, guided by divine love and wisdom. Embrace the peace that comes from knowing you are supported in this journey of reimagination and divine connection.
Day 3: Reflective Sharing and Deepening Relationships
Today, you have a wonderful opportunity to enrich your reflections by connecting with an accountability partner or a trusted friend. If you haven't yet reached out, consider scheduling a time with the person you hoped to invite into your journey from Day 1. This is a welcoming moment to build deeper connections, listen with intention, and share meaningfully.
Prepare Your Heart and Mind: Begin by taking a few deep breaths to center yourself. Approach your upcoming conversation with an open and welcoming heart, ready to engage sincerely.
Reach Out to Your Partner: Invite your chosen person to join you in this reflective journey. Find a mutually inviting space where you both feel at ease speaking and listening without distractions.
Engage in Genuine Conversation: Start by asking your partner to share their reflections on their last year. Encourage them to open up about their experiences, lessons, and moments of gratitude. If time allows, gently inquire about their hopes and dreams for 2025.
Listen as a Gift: Give your full attention as they speak, viewing your listening as a generous gift to them. Resist any urges to interrupt or offer advice—simply be present and supportive.
Share if Invited: If your partner expresses interest in your reflections, share the insights and goals you’ve developed over the past two days. Keep your sharing concise, focusing on key points to allow for easy follow-up questions.
Embrace the Moment: If the conversation naturally leads to more opportunities for one-on-one sharing, welcome it with enthusiasm. Consider planning future meetings to nurture your dialogue and deepen your friendship or companionship.
Reflect with Gratitude: After your meeting, take a moment to reflect on the conversation and express gratitude for the opportunity to listen and share. Appreciate the insights gained and the strengthened connections.
Remember, today is about fostering genuine, inspiring exchanges. Whether you listen, share, or simply enjoy the presence of your partner, each step is a building block for deeper understanding and connection.
