There’s a new retreat in town…and it’s getting rave reviews!! The Perspective Retreat shined a light on what it means to let God guide your future job-making decisions. 22 CSFers trekked to Canton, Ohio to the Kunze residence for a weekend full of inspiring speakers and encouraging fellowship. (For some, this was their first ever CSF retreat!)
So…what did CSFers take away from this retreat? Sravanthi Reddy said, “Carry God’s love to all places all the time...so that people around us will see God’s love from us.” She said she really enjoyed the message of doing what you love and pursue it for a career which our first speaker, Scott really touched on. Scott, an operations manager in the meat-packing industry shared memories of his grandmother ending every prayer with, “to keep us ever mindful of the needs of others.”
Matt & Jen, married physical therapists, shared about integrating their Christian lives and their work lives. Matt challenged the group with final questions like, “How do your goals professionally and spiritually coincide?” and “How will your place of employment place obstacles in your spiritual life?” Stacy Kunze talks about her impression of the retreat and listening to her Dad discuss his career as a pharmacist. She said, "We heard a lot of positive insight on working in a career and representing Jesus in every area of your life. Hearing John Kunze's story and how God has blessed him in so many ways through faith and giving was really awesome. It gave me a new perspective on my very own Father!"
We know the old saying ‘actions speak louder than words.’ One evening, Debbie, a nurse, made us a wonderful meal with all the fixins and then headed to work. This selfless act of kindness reinforced the encouraging messages we heard throughout the weekend.
Our last speakers, Tom & Denise, a married engineer and teacher, discussed their transition from being non-Christians to beginning their walk with God. Denise shared how her different prior careers prepared her to become a teacher. Tom talked about letting go of control and giving it to God. One image that really stuck with me was when he said, “We lay our lives on an altar before God and the biggest problem with a living sacrifice is we tend to crawl off the altar.” Read that again. What a vivid picture? Are we crawling off the altar? Half-on, half-off the altar? Hmmmmm….powerful words. Take home message from this retreat: Whatever career path you choose…love it and give glory to God through it!
- Renee Pugh