Holiness retreat encourages attendees to 'Find Rest'

BY MARCOS MARQUEZ, MAJOR

They were dreaded words. They were unwelcomed words. They were words that, as a child, would inevitably lead me, as it might most children, to frustration, anger and tears. “You need a nap.” “You need to take a rest.” “You need quiet time.” Tears would ensue, arguments would be presented to plead my case to the contrary, that I most certainly did not need a nap. However, now in my 40s with children of my own, I understand that Mom and Dad were correct—most times they could tell that I, indeed, needed a nap.

Sometimes, there is just no other cure for the occasional ill-mannered temper of a child. Sometimes they just need to be told to take a rest, to lay down, to be quiet, to go to sleep. It’s only when they wake up, fully rested and feeling better, that they realize how much they needed it. A lot changes as an adult from when you were a child. But some things don’t.

As adults, we still need good rest. However, even as adults, we don’t always like being told that we do. We grumble and make excuses for why we can’t rest. We clutter our schedule so much (sometimes with good things) that we cannot or do not find the time to rest. But God, our Heavenly Father, knows that we need it, even if we cannot see it. He is a good Father who calls us to rest. Jesus himself calls to us saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30, NIV).

“Find Rest” was the theme of the Territorial Holiness Retreat, held at The Salvation Army Camp Del Oro and Conference Center in Nevada City, California, March 16-19. During the weekend, 63 delegates were reminded that the health of our personal holiness journey depends on our own soul care. In The Salvation Army we care so much—selflessly—for others that we are charged to care for as a movement that sometimes we unintentionally neglect our own soul care.

Psalm 62:1(a), the central verse of the weekend, served as a focal point, reminding us that my soul finds rest in God alone. While there will always be missional work to be done, we must allow God to work in us first. Territorial leaders Commissioners Colleen and Doug Riley bookended the entire weekend by emphasizing that it was to be a time of both physical and spiritual rest. They called us to step away and take time to pause our regular routine and care for our souls. The invitation was made plain and clear and beautifully set the tone for the richness of God’s goodness that would lay in between.

To expound on the importance of