Decide to Rise - Jakarta Married Ministry Retreat 2017

Held at Villa Mandiri - Puncak, this retreat was organized by the Married Ministry of the Central Jakarta region from August 18-20, 2017. In fellowship that was warm, the married couples shared their life stories with one another, prayed and studied God's Word together, and enjoyed time through fun games that were exciting. How blessed it is to be part of a spiritual family like this!

1 Corinthians 9:25 Every person who takes part in a competition exercises self-control in all things. They do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we do it to obtain an imperishable crown.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of busyness, marriages and families that need to be nurtured, and the demands of an age that keeps advancing, how can we remain on God's path until one day we succeed in obtaining an eternal crown? As human beings, it is so easy for us to shift from one thing to another, especially when it feels appealing. But the question is, does God still have our attention? Therefore, the theme Decide to Rise was chosen to challenge the faith of all the retreat participants, to rise above life's limitations and the problems that exist.

Before the teaching session from Pastor Harliem Salim began, the retreat committee prepared a birthday surprise for participants who had birthdays in August. All the retreat participants celebrated these birthdays with joy and warmth.

Birthday surprise for retreat participants

Highlight of this retreat was when Pastor Harliem Salim shared a teaching on "Decide to Rise". How can we endure, finish the race well, and obtain the crown God has promised? Let us look together at the summary of Pastor Harliem's teaching below:

Teaching session by Pastor Harliem Salim

When we have come to know God's truth, given ourselves to be baptized, and become His disciples, then we should be the ones who take the initiative to draw near to God. As James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." Pastor Harliem brought up several figures recorded in the Bible who successfully finished the race of life and attained the crown of eternity, namely Enoch, Noah, & Abraham. These three figures had one thing in common: their relationship with God was very close. They responded to and drew near to God with all their hearts.

By contrast, the people of Israel, who were the chosen nation, were in the opposite condition. After being delivered from Egypt, the hearts of the Israelites were not set on God. With their own way of thinking, they hoped that after being freed from Egypt God would bring them to a land flowing with milk & honey. But what was God's purpose in bringing them out of Egypt? It was so that they could worship God, so that the relationship between Israel and God might be restored.

However, the motivation of the Israelites leaned more toward wanting milk, honey, and vineyards than wanting a relationship with God. Until at the end of the Old Testament, God said, "I have loved you," says the Lord. But you say, "How have You loved us?" (Malachi 1:2). How disappointed God was, and after this God was silent for 400 years until the beginning of the New Testament.

Which one are we today? Is our response like Enoch, Noah, Abraham (loving God because of God - who He is) or like the Israelites (loving God because of what God can give - what He can give/do)?

So then, how can we remain on the right track in the race? Or, if we have already entered the race, are we running to win and pursue the crown of life or the opposite?

1. Taking Time

Exodus 3:2-4 describes the situation in which Moses made the decision to turn aside and examine the burning bush. It is important to remember that at that time Moses was shepherding his sheep, animals that could be said to be foolish. When Moses made that turning-aside move, it meant he took the risk of leaving his sheep behind and there was a possibility they would be lost, just to move closer to God.

Today, do we turn aside from our busy routines so that we can draw near and listen to God through His Word?

2. Cultivating hunger

We will hunger for what we feed on. What are we filling ourselves with today? Because the usual pattern of human beings is that we will always return to what we commonly feed on. The lives of David and Moses were used as examples in this part. David continually filled himself with God's Word, and Moses faithfully walked with God. Both of them led a great number of followers, and the condition of their followers was very negative. How were they able to get through all of that? Why could they endure through every difficult and exhausting condition, yet still live as victors? The answer is that they hungered and thirsted for God. In every situation, David and Moses always sought God's wisdom. As David said, "My heart says of You, "Seek His face"; Your face, LORD, I will seek." (Psalm 27:8).

Is God usually the first one we seek when facing problems/difficulties/the storms of life? Or do we seek satisfaction elsewhere such as wealth, pleasure, and so on? Take time and cultivate a hunger for God.

Then, Pastor Harliem continued with 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, where in those verses the apostle Paul says that in his freedom he actually chose to become a servant to all people and to the truth. Human beings in general always talk about rights, but why did Paul instead choose to become a servant of the truth (slave of righteousness) and a servant to all people?

The answer is in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, after his life was transformed by Christ, Paul deeply understood that he had entered an arena of competition and that his life's purpose was to win the crown of eternity. Just like Jesus, who no longer held on to His rights as the Son of God and was willing to suffer on the cross so that we all might receive eternal life. Paul did the same. He no longer focused on rights, but trained himself in such a way as to become a servant of the truth and preach the Gospel so that people might be saved.

The God who was present in the days of Moses, David, and Paul is the same God we worship today. He calls us to win the race, not merely to enter the arena. Moses, Enoch, David, Abraham, Noah, and Paul were able to see who God truly is above the difficulties of their lives. Are we willing to follow in their footsteps? Have we made ourselves servants of the truth?

After receiving spiritual refreshment from Pastor Harliem, the games began. Games that were held carried a 17 August theme, such as sack races, marbles, kerupuk-eating contests, and tug-of-war. These married couples were very enthusiastic, and we can see all their joy through the photos below:

The spirited cheers of each games group

Atmosphere of the 17 August-themed games

After the games ended, the participants had free time to spend time and fellowship and also rest. The next day after Sunday service together and the distribution of prizes to the games winners, the retreat participants returned to their homes with joy and with a decision to rise...to rise above all things.

Sunday service and prize distribution for the winning games group