Reflections from the Women’s Retreat & a Save the Date for Next Year

Discipleship, Event, Women's Retreat | by Tiffany Butler

Save the Date for 2018

The next Women’s Retreat is scheduled for Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10, 2018 with keynote speaker Jani Ortlund. Mark your calendar and spread the word!

Treasuring the Cross

“The cross is a treasure to those in need of it.” Charissa Lundy set a great tone the opening night of the DCC Women’s retreat with that simple sentence. The gospel – that Jesus died because our sin is so great, but was joyful to do it because his love is greater (Heb. 12:2) – is indeed a treasure to those who know they need it.

The theme of the DCC Women’s Retreat was The Greatness of God. Often, we make our situations in life great, we make our fears great, we make our idols great, but God is greater than all of these. Jen Thorn, the keynote speaker, began her first session defining and explaining the greatness of God. In the battle to put to death our fear and idols, the roots come back to our theology – the study of the nature of God. As I understand the greatness of God and my position in Him, in Christ, my fears and idols are measured in their right perspective. I can then see clearly that I need the help of my Savior to put to death my fears and idols.

Leading up to the DCC Women’s Retreat, I was transitioning back to Seattle after living abroad for eight months. It was a bit of a rough transition, emotionally. During this time, the Lord further revealed idols I had set up in my life to navigate these fears and uncomfortable emotions. The weekend away helped me to process the ways in which I forget the greatness of God, and instead turn to fear and idols in my life. I was reminded through the testimonies, conversations, and gospel-saturated teachings that to rely on my own strength and my own idols will only lead to frustration and burn-out. The Lord wants more for us than that! Like a good Father, He will discipline us (sometimes in the form of just making life as we live it uncomfortable) in order to help us to grow into all that He has for us; He will prune us in order that we can bear more fruit (John 15:2).

Applying Truth & Learning to Wait

In talking with other ladies in the final hours of the retreat, we reflected on the evidences of grace poured out during our time there. Tears were shed, fears were identified and addressed, grace applied, and in some cases, doubts still remain. We are returning from the spiritual and physical mountaintop of Cle Elum to our daily lives. How will we continue to apply gospel truths every day to our joys and struggles, as well as to our relationships via friendships, families, coworkers and neighbors?

Personally, one of the biggest takeaways for me is to apply God’s truths to my idols; to take time in my day to slow down and check the recordings in my head; recordings that say, “I am not good enough.” “I can’t believe that I still struggle with this.” “Do they like me?” etc. Instead, I desire to apply God’s truths – I am loved (John 3:16, Rom. 5:8), I am ransomed (1 Tim. 2:6), I am His and He is mine (Song of Solomon 2:16, 6:3).

Finally, a common thread throughout the weekend was the act of waiting on the Lord with a hope-filled expectancy. Waiting is an active word where we anticipate God’s promises in Scripture. It is through the Word wherein we learn His character and what He is capable of doing. Let us dig into His Word daily, in solitude, as well as with our friends, families, and communities. Let His Word speak for Him, not our experiences and fleeting emotions. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, and I pray for my DCC sisters, as well as for myself, that we will continue to study together, consider God’s greatness together, discuss together, and wait together, hope-filled and expectantly, in Christ. For His truth is a necessary treasure!

I would encourage you all to save the date for our 2018 Women’s Retreat, February 9-10. I’m already looking forward to another great weekend of growing in faith, focusing on God’s truths, and connecting with you ladies!

Christ is all,

Tiffany Butler