Retreating with Purpose
Happy Monday, friends!
The weekend is over and life is back to busy, busy, busy—school, work, expectations, and endless to-dos. It doesn’t take long before the weight of everyday life leaves us feeling like we’re just running from one thing to the next.
That’s why the idea of retreat is so important. Retreating isn’t about running away from life’s responsibilities—it’s about intentionally stepping back so we can breathe, reset, and meet with God.
We see this modeled in the life of Jesus. Mark 6:46 tells us, “After leaving them [His Disciples], He went up on a mountainside to pray.” Even Jesus—who carried the weight of the world’s redemption—made time to withdraw from the crowd to be with His Father. If He needed it, how much more do we?
The truth is, retreat is less about the place and more about the space.
Sometimes that looks like a prayer walk around your neighborhood, an unhurried cup of coffee with God’s Word before the day begins, or a Saturday morning spent away from your normal routine.
Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God.” This is the same heart behind Sabbath—God calls us to pause, to rest, and to remember that He is God and we are His. Sabbath and retreat remind us that our identity is not in our busyness, our success, or our constant productivity, but in being God’s beloved children.
At Pilgrim Experiences, we take this seriously. We wanted to create not just another vacation, but a space where retreat could become a reality. That’s why, over the weekend, we announced our very first Pilgrim Experiences Cruise Retreat—a time to step away, rest deeply, and make space to encounter God in meaningful ways. A cruise ship may not be a mountain, but it’s certainly a beautiful view, and it can become holy ground when it’s set apart for Him.
Whether you’re able to join us on the retreat or not, my encouragement for you is this: don’t wait for a special trip to make space for God. Look for ways this week to step aside from the noise and simply be still. Even small pauses can open the door for Him to remind you of who He is—and who you are in Him.
Let’s be Christ-followers, modern-day pilgrims who carve out space for His presence.
Pilgrim Practice
This week, carve out one intentional retreat moment. It doesn’t have to be long—just 15 minutes where you silence the noise, put away distractions, and invite God to speak. Maybe it’s a walk, maybe it’s a journal entry, maybe it’s just sitting quietly with God’s Word. Let that moment be your “mountaintop,” even if it’s in your living room.
Prayer
Lord, in the busyness of life, help me not to lose sight of You. Teach me the beauty of retreating, of stepping back so I can rest in Your presence. Show me how to pause, how to breathe, and how to remember that You are God and I am Yours. Whether in small moments or in set-apart times of retreat, draw me closer to You. Amen.