“Behold, I Make All Things New”: Excerpts From the Spiritual Retreat in My School.

There are moments when the noise has to fade for clarity to begin.

The desert, in Scripture, was never just a place- it was a posture. A space of separation, preparation, and quiet seeking. In many ways, this retreat felt like that: an intentional withdrawal, not to escape life, but to encounter God more clearly.

Part 1: Awake From Your Sleep

One of the strongest themes that ran through the retreat was the call to wake up spiritually.

We were reminded that spiritual sleep is not always loud or obvious—it often creeps in quietly. Scripture urges us to awake from sleep (Revelation 2:1–5; 1 Thessalonians 5), because remaining asleep makes us vulnerable in a constant battle between light and darkness.

We reflected on the causes of spiritual sleep, and five stood out clearly.

The first is trauma- our reactions to negative experiences that, when left unattended, can lead to spiritual numbness. Trauma often gives birth to spiritual apathy, a state where we become emotionally and spiritually detached. At this point, faith becomes mechanical rather than heartfelt. We go through motions without meaning, forgetting that we were made for more.

Another cause is presumption- the dangerous assumption that we can never fall. When we presume strength without guarding ourselves, we become careless. Scripture reminds us that vigilance is necessary because even strong faith must be protected. Closely connected to this is the influence of relationships. As Scripture says, bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). The people we surround ourselves with can either awaken or dull our spiritual sensitivity.

The fifth cause is distraction. Like Martha in Luke 10:41–42, we can become so busy with many things that we lose sight of what truly matters- God’s presence.

We were also taught about the consequences of not waking up spiritually. One is losing discernment in the constant battle between light and darkness. Another is failing in our intercessory role, as seen in Exodus 17:8–13, where victory depended on sustained spiritual posture, not physical strength alone.

So the question became: How do we remain spiritually awake?

The first step is humility- recognizing that we need help. Spiritual alertness begins with dependence on God, not self-confidence. We were encouraged to be intentional about living by faith, standing firm in the confidence that God is in control (Ephesians 6:16).

Part 2: Preparing the Way of the Lord Within Us

Drawing from Isaiah 40:3–5, the retreat emphasized that preparing the way of the Lord is not only external—it is deeply internal. Preparation begins with humility, captured in John 3:30: “He must increase, I must decrease.” True spiritual preparation requires letting go of pride and making room for God.

We were warned to avoid ungodliness, because a lack of intimacy with God often results in a lack of conviction. When we do not truly know God, we are rarely challenged. We were also encouraged to refuse fear (Isaiah 41:10) and to remain intentional with our words, knowing that life and death lie in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

Praise and worship were highlighted as powerful tools—not just expressions, but weapons. Praise invites God’s presence, enthrones Him, and becomes a potent force in spiritual warfare.

Part 3: Healthy Relationships

We reflected on healthy relationships, emotional healing, and peace (John 14:27). A healthy relationship, we learned, is marked by equality, respect, trust, honesty, open communication, and mutual growth. It also allows space- time apart that strengthens rather than weakens connection.

Our relationship with God was framed around love and obedience (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). We were reminded to serve from the assurance that we are loved by God, and to believe in His presence through contentment, not constant striving.

Family relationships were also emphasized, guided by Ephesians 5:21–33 and 6:1–3, reminding us that spiritual renewal is meant to flow into our homes.

Part 4: Preparing the Heart and the Mind

Using Psalm 51:10—“Create in me a clean heart, O God”—we explored repentance as the foundation of renewal. To create is God’s sovereign act, to clean is the removal of defilement, and to renew is making something truly new. Transformation is something only God can do, but it requires our response of surrender.

Renewing the mind involves intentional thinking-choosing truth over anxiety (Romans 12:2), allowing God’s Word to reshape our perspective (Joshua 1:8), and asking God to reveal old patterns that need to be broken.

Preparing the heart involves confession and repentance (1 John 1:9), surrendering our will to God (Proverbs 3:5–6), and cultivating compassion (Ephesians 4:32), allowing our renewed hearts to overflow into our relationships.

Practical Steps Forward

The retreat closed with practical steps:

• Setting aside daily quiet time—even ten minutes—for Scripture and prayer

• Committing to let go of one old mindset

• Journaling intentions as a way to remain conscious and accountable

Ultimately, the retreat was a call to intentional living- to wake up, prepare our hearts, and allow God to do the work of renewal in us. It reminded us that spiritual growth is not accidental. It is a response to God’s invitation to be made new.

For me, this retreat wasn’t about becoming someone new overnight, but about being reminded of who God is and who I am becoming in Him.

I didn’t leave with all the answers but I left awake.