When you think about the retreat that starts in just over 48 hours, what are you looking forward to? Back-to-back-to-back volleyball games? Maybe getting a chance to tag your youth pastor in the chest with a paintball? Staying up late? A new t-shirt? Good snacks?

So many times, I’ve arrived at conferences or retreats, only to realize that I had been looking forward to the wrong things. This retreat isn’t one big four-day slumber party. God is going to meet us. Did you catch that? Let me say it again: God is going to meet us. Think about this truth for a minute. Let it sink in. The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, is going to meet us in personal and meaningful ways in Yellow Spring, West Virginia.

While it is wonderful to look forward to (and enjoy) games, friends, and fun–the biggest thing happening on this retreat is the presence of God. Where do you need God to meet you? Are you weary? Discouraged? Disappointed? Angry? Anxious? In conflict? Confused? Something else? Pray now–and tomorrow, and Wednesday–that God would meet you. Pray that God would meet your friends. Pray that God would meet your parents. Pray for the gift of prophecy; pray that God would fill us with his Spirit.

Let’s prepare our hearts so that we can say with the psalmist:

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
(Psalm 42:1-2)

Categories: Retreat06, five15 blog