As we arrived in Hilton Head on Friday the sky was covered with dark rain clouds. The air was thick with fog and the rain poured from the sky.
But … as we gathered on the inside for our first large-group session, the radiant light of God’s presence enveloped us. From the first song, My Beloved, Jesus beckoned us to “come away with Him.”
We prepared our hearts on Friday evening with a Concert of Prayer. Oh how cathartic it is to come before the throne of God and offer Him praise, confession and thanksgiving! We were refreshed as we basked in His presence!
God enlightened our hearts as we opened His Word on Saturday morning. I love that from lesson to lesson and from trial to trial the Lord takes us through, He transports us from glory to glory. What an “ah-ha” moment for me. God’s Word brings such liberation and hope!
Saturday night God unveiled the idols that reside in us and attempt to claim the highest place in our hearts. Those idols must not be allowed to choke out the ONE who is to be King of our lives. They must be surrendered on the altar and nailed to the cross, and that’s exactly what we did. Relationships, fear, money, hurts … these were just some of the idols we nailed to the cross.
Sunday morning we woke up to a beautiful blue sky and radiant sunshine! It was a picture of what God had done for us the night before. Just as He removed the clouds, unveiled the sky and commanded the sun to burst forth, so He unveiled our hearts to reflect the radiance of His glory.
After our hearts were unveiled, God showed us the key to reflecting Jesus … LOVE! As we love others well (especially those who are difficult to love) we reflect Christ. Through surrendering ourselves, our idols and our hurts to Him, seeking His face and serving those He places in our paths, we love well and this brings about a beautiful reflection of His glory.
WOW! What a weekend. God was so evident and worked powerfully. I pray this week you will “reflect” on the powerful truths He revealed to us at our retreat. And as you do, you will learn to live a life of radiance in the light of Jesus’ presence!
Jacqueline Heider
Women’s Ministry