I've used the time for solitude, growth, and for a lot of food and coffee. I read a whole book in two days....not exactly a stunning feat, but a rarity for me! I watched some movies (Shutter Island was awesome!), listened to some sermons, got some work done, rode my bike, cleaned out the cars, did some crosswords, prayed some and thought a LOT.

The result? I can't remember ever being so clear-minded. Not that I've solved all of life's mysteries or anything, but the basic truth of who God is, why the world is so screwed up, what He's doing about it, and my role in the whole thing is crystal clear. I feel rejuvenated. I feel bold. My faith is stronger than ever. I KNOW what I believe and can tell you why I believe it.

And I'm beyond ready to put it in action.

Why is it that we allow the craziness of life to slowly numb us and blind us to what matters most? We KNOW what matters most, and yet we let daily life suck it out of us. Personally, I don't want to spend my life just running around trying to get things done. Yeah, it comes with the age and culture we live in, but there is SO much more to life! I want to keep growing and making myself better. I want to learn from my mistakes and actually change. I want to know God more and more. I want every second of my days to matter.

And you do too.

No one wants to wake up 20 years from now wishing they'd done more. No one WANTS to live a life of regrets...so don't. Yeah, things around the house need done. Bills need to be paid and your job may be very demanding. But don't neglect what matters most. God matters the most. And family matters. Your kids. Your wife. Your husband. Your friends. But also your neighbors. The homeless. The fatherless. The cashier at the gas station.

I could go on and on, but you get the point. God and people are all that really matter. And not just the people who are easy to love. ALL people. Do you really want to come alive? If you really want to experience life to the fullest, then stop making it all about you. Get on your knees and serve someone. Spend your money on others...but don't just hand some random homeless person a buck and move on. You won't really be helping them, you realize. You'll just feel better about yourself. Look them in the eye and ask them their name. They have a story. Get to know them. Get out of your comfort zone. Don't spend your life just checking off lists and getting things done. Spend time getting to know God better and spend time, REAL time, with people. Do the things you've got to do, but realize that those things don't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Life is not about your job. Oe your nice little "to-do" list. It's about relationships.

I realize that now that I've had my nice little retreat, there is work to be done. People to be loved. I don't want to brush off the chance to hang out with a friend, or get to know someone better, or to help a person on the street just because I've got to get off to my next, "very important" thing. And yes...that happens even if you're in ministry. I'm thinking clearly and I'm ready to LIVE.

Anybody else with me?