By Viola Castelli
Cleansing Stream helped me to know that God knows my pain, my suffering, my sorrow, my joy. I know that He has been with me through every step of my life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.” I know I am here today because the grace of God has carried me through every moment in my life.
There were two topics in particular that stuck out to me during the seven weeks of Cleansing Stream; Walking in the Spirit and Speaking Words of life. Walking in the Spirit taught me that the Holy Spirit is always with me along this journey. I gained a better understanding of what it means to be committed to God, and why cultivating and growing my relationship with Him is so important for my life. During Speaking words of life I learned the importance of choosing to think and live in a manner that echoes the life that I have through Jesus Christ. I know that I have been chosen by Him, that I can do all things through Christ and that I must continue to press on to the goal. It is through Christ that I am able to remain in faith, no matter what is thrown my way – in the good or the bad, I am never alone.
This journey was not only a solo journey – just God and I; I also had the privilege of doing Cleansing Stream with the very people I do life with from Every Nation NJ. We learned together, cried, laughed and supported each other.
Cleansing Stream culminated in a one day retreat that provided the tools that helped me get free from those excuses, hurts, and things that were impacting my ability to live the life that God promised. My biggest takeaway was that I am a child of God and nothing is going to stand in my way!
Although I was reluctant at first to do Cleansing Stream, I am so glad I did it at the encouragement of Pastor Dottie. It brought me forward to places that I didn’t know were possible and has changed my relationship with God forever.