I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotswold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

THE ONE MINUTE RETREAT

I’ve been posting about retreats recently –

ideas for a 24 hour retreat http://www.ministriesbydesign.org/2012/06/12/refresh-renew-recreate-retreat/

thoughts on a 10 day silent retreat http://www.ministriesbydesign.org/2012/06/13/bubbles-and-silence-a-10-day-retreat/

special places to go http://www.ministriesbydesign.org/2012/06/20/760/

Now for something which is easy and do-able, whenever you need it.

Right now?

THE ONE MINUTE RETREAT

Do anything meaningful in just one minute?

Yes. You can – YOU can.

Take just a minute, anywhere, anytime, and RETREAT into God and His promises.

Here’s a suggestion:

Stop. Do something different. If you are sitting at your desk, turn away from the computer, put down the pen, move your hands …. You might like to place them palms up, resting gently on your knees, then close your eyes and take a deep breath.

And another deep breath.

This is a retreat. In your mind’s eye, go somewhere beautiful, peaceful, life giving, that means something to you – a favourite beach, a mountain top, a woodland track ….

As you do so, give thanks to the Lord – for He is good and His love endures forever. (Ps 118:1-3)

Allow yourself to BE in His love. Accept it. It’s always there for you, surrounding you and holding you and accepting you. Relax into it. Drop the shoulders, ease the neck, straighten the back …. relax!

Another deep breath. And as you breath out, cast all your cares on the Lord – for He cares for you. (1Peter 5:7)

Imagine throwing something – a stone into the water, a rock over the edge of the cliff, a heavy branch hurled away from you. Mentally turn your back on it and thank Him that He can deal with all of that as long as you leave it all with Him. So leave it with Him.

A deep breath. You are continuing in His love, your cares are left with Him, you can relax.

Now think about what you are returning to. It lies ahead of you. But you know that you are in His love, your cares have been left with Him. And now He tells you, Don’t worry about the future. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life …. Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matt: 6:25-27)

Commit what lies ahead to Him, for “I know who holds the future, and He holds it in His hands…. I do not know the course ahead, What joys and griefs are there. But one stands near who fully knows, I'll trust His loving care.”

Another deep breath. And as you breath in, take in the power of the Holy Spirit. I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you …. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-8)

As you gently come back to whatever you were previously doing, thank God for what you have just experienced of Him.

Take it with you as you continue today.

And know that a one minute retreat can be made anywhere at any time. It’s free, quick, easy – and soul restoring.

Thank God that there are so many minutes available each day!

What do you do to keep in His Presence regularly? What might you do in a moment of retreat?