To go forward, first retreat

Lawrence Tong (Singapore) served as OM’s International Director from 2013 to 2025. He started serving with OM in 1978 when he joined Doulos and met his wife, Susan. He spent five years each on OM’s ships, Logos, Logos II and Doulos, worked in the ship ministry head office in Germany and served as field leader in East Asia. His excitement to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers within walking distance of everyone on earth is what propels him into motion daily.

For many of us, the pace, pressure and complexity of life intensify over time. Through the ages, those people who have attempted great things from God found it necessary and revitalising to regularly set aside several days to isolate themselves with God—often in silence—in order to continue their missions with fresh vision and vigour.
 
For example, during an eight-day silent retreat in Adelaide, I found I was rediscovering God and experiencing Him in a new way. I was overwhelmed by His love, presence and grace. When the pace of life slows down, I found I became more and more aware of His presence and surroundings.
 
Although this is a Biblical practice, many of us (myself included) come from cultures where our worth is measured by productivity and such so-called idleness is suspicious. As my understanding of how Jesus was able to keep going develops—He regularly withdrew from crowds and His disciples to be with His Father—I now see that time of isolation as a necessity. God’s work can function without us, as we often see when we go on retreats. Temporarily leaving work behind can be a sacrifice and love gift to God: “I give you my responsibilities, my voice, my plans.”
 
I’ve gone on numerous retreats, despite a packed schedule. Coming from hectic, crowded Singapore, I’ve discovered how precious solitude can be. Simple rest is an essential part of a retreat, as is silence. The whole point of a retreat is not to bring along issues to resolve but to be a blank slate and listen to God. It’s not a time to catch up on Bible reading plans or prepare sermons. When issues come to mind, I make notes and set them aside. I like to pray as I walk outside; it focuses my mind as God’s creation speaks into my life. And early rising means early to bed—a welcome change of routine. 
 
Impressions from a retreat 
On a retreat I attended, a spiritual director led a morning devotion of Scripture reading with the group but also met with each of us throughout the day to process what God was impressing on us. Each evening, we met for communion and worship, which lasted an hour. It was liberating to not speak with others. 
 
The most important feature of a good retreat is no distractions: no media, no internet, limited social interaction. To experience life slowed down can be personally revolutionary. We think we have to immediately respond to emotionally-charged emails or calls, but the retreat experience teaches us that the best responses often come to those who wait for clarity. As Director of Logos II, I spent one day every week away from work activities to listen to God. I can’t imagine giving that up. Imagine if we could create the space and resources for every OMer to go on a silent retreat every two years. It could transform everything we do!
 
Certain attitudes, approaches or actions can cause a retreat experience to disintegrate: allowing work to creep in, sinful thoughts, resentment, poor discipline in use of time and especially giving our digital devices a foothold. Usually, I give the spiritual director my laptop and phone for the duration. A retreat should declutter your life, so don’t waste the opportunity. 
 
Do not despair if it seems impossible to embark on a five-day retreat. Why not set aside three days to begin this journey? I find that it takes half a day to transition into a retreat, and no one regrets extra days thus invested. While you wait for a longer retreat, a half-day away from all distraction or a few hours in solitude at the back of a church can be very helpful in regaining perspective and passion. There’s nothing more biblical than to hunger for an awareness of God’s presence. Jesus Himself saw it as essential. As Samuel said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:9 NIV).