We’ve been in the community for 24 years now. That was our first MCG Retreat.
From having attended many retreats in the past, we came with no dramatic expectations. But of course, we looked forward to a quite refreshing respite with times spent on retrospection, reflection, prayer and fellowship … however, we went home with more.
We were treated with impactful and powerful sessions one after the other – aimed to nourish and empower our servant hearts; all lovingly delivered by our Brother-Elders in the community, who gave the rightful justice to each and every topic. Indeed, we gathered and collected plenty of take-aways. Here are some to share:
⭐️ “Be totally dependent on God – one key to effectiveness in service. Acknowledge whose work it is and whose power it is at work. Take care of your spirituality. “
Personally, this speaks to me. I am guilty of misusing “active obedience” at times; I tend to question first, then obey, rather than obey first and then ask proactively. I failed multiple times to see things from God’s perspective: when God called to answer a need and God called me because “I can”; and a lot of times I could have, but sadly I didn’t. I made the service all about me – I was busy, I had no time, I couldn’t go far… the long list of “I” could go on.
I’ve been inconsistent in nourishing my spiritual health well; and there were times I failed to acknowledge whose work it has always been and whose power it is at work.
But my God is a loving, understanding, and all-knowing God. He gave me my husband (The Bouncing Boni 😁) who constantly demonstrates and lives out a true servant heart. His love for service and readiness to serve and to go to the ends of the earth clearly express his pure heart and his deep relationship with God – and this has become my constant anchor and guidepost. Through this retreat and this loving community, I came to fully understand the reason for his unwavering conviction and his constant consistency. As I often call him, he is my own cherubim.
⭐️ Relationships must be life-giving.
I often hear “Life is short “. But I think life is relatively long… But each day is short. You are only given a few couple of hours in a day to relate to someone.
Hence, this means a lot to me… because at that moment, God is giving me a chance, the opportunity, for me to manifest his love, be life-giving, and let the other one tangibly experience Jesus.
⭐️ “Be a True Salt of the Earth and True Light of the World”
I am deeply humbled by the simplicity of using salt and light to relate and represent how God wants his life-giving love to be manifested to his people through us as His disciples. In a world where accolades and accomplishments have become the measures and benchmarks of how well one does or how much one contributes to a particular cause or advocacy, God is showing us how one can be obscure but be life-giving. An explicit call to serve and give in true humility.
From the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank each and every one who made the retreat possible and for giving all of us a meaningful and enriching experience. God bless you and empower you more.