There Is No Substitute for Experience - A Lesson from a Winter Retreat
They had lived their whole lives to this point in the city, in the lowlands, and out of the snow. Half of them had never seen snow, never made a snowman, never ridden a sled, never thrown a snowball. Nor had they ever been required to dress strategically to avoid freezing to death.
They had never situated themselves by a fire to roast marshmallows in the forest. They had never sipped hot cocoa just to keep warm. They had never considered the danger of wet socks on a cold winter night.
They were about to embark on a winter retreat. Parents had been carefully briefed. Bags had been carefully packed and carefully checked. Counselors brought extra sleeping bags, socks, and other supplies. The camp nurse stocked up on, of all things, suntan lotion because reflected snow can cause sunburns.
Why? For the experience.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” — Acts 3:19
That is a verse about experiencing God is a deeply personal way.
There is nothing like seeing, experiencing, surviving, and playing in the snow for the first time.
That is one experience. The other is more vital and life changing.
Taking kids out of the city, to the hills, beyond their comfort zone, and into the snow-covered tree-lined forest does not, in itself, get them closer to God, but the intention does. In the relative isolation of nature and the focus of a community of people gathered to meet Jesus, something amazing happens.
People meet Jesus. I am a veteran of retreats, camps, and outdoor experiences with children, youth, and adults. I have led many such experiences and have seen God work in remarkable ways. I have also taken many personal retreats to refresh my own relationship with God among the trees and in the snow as well as the sunshine.
I have learned this as well. I can take such a retreat any time and any place when my heart in intent on meeting him. Sometimes it just takes a picture or a word to remind me of that.
Amen.
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