When God Speaks

Daily writing prompt

Do you practice religion?

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When asked if I practice religion the short answer is ‘No’. The term religion brings to mind a strict, controlled and man-made mandate which I absolutely despise. There is absolutely no way another human being should have control over another. This brings about rulership, dictatorship and sometimes cults are formed. One person cannot tell someone else the right way to live unless they have walked exactly the path of that person and we all know cloning doesn’t exist. Only God can do this and He tells us in His Word the paths to take. He will not ever tell another human being what to tell another human being until He has already told that person thus confirmation can be given through another.

Freedom is not bound by rules. That is bondage. Where rules are laid down bondage follows, but where love is given freedom occurs. As with religion that usually has rules laid out, freedom cannot exist. Even if every rule was followed freedom is not there. Freedom’s characteristics are joy, truth, love, etc so having to follow every rule cannot produce freedom. What would come forth is stress, frustration, anger, and many other not so good symptoms.

I am a spiritual person, however. I love the Lord. I love His Word. I love being the person He created me to be. I have attended churches and may still visit some, but I do not believe church is a necessity to living a spiritual life. I believe church is good for us. Being around like minded believers giving and receiving encouragement is good for all of us, but when I hear people saying church is a must that bothers me because who are they to say that? Sounds like control to me and I’m not with that. Jesus never dictated to His followers that church was a must so how can a regular human being dictate that?

Spirituality’s core is freedom. Religion’s core is slavery. Rules laid down brings about unnecessary matters such as rebellion. When I try to obey rules I find I fail every time so I give up and rebellion sneaks in or I become hypocritical and live a double life where I find stress, anger, bitterness and finally throw in the towel and walk away from it all. It is too much to handle. However, when I live a spiritual life, I am free. Free to be me, free to make mistakes and free to repent and turn away from wrongdoings. Free to share my journey, my mistakes, but most of all, free to share God’s mercy, grace and above all, His love with others. No condemnation awaits me because He does not condemn. People condemn. Roman’s 7 tells this same story concerning freedom.

Spirituality is freedom to be truthful and transparent because His love causes this to happen. And in so doing I find that I want to serve Him because who doesn’t love and want to do right with Someone like Him? Someone who loves me unconditionally. Love not based on my performances, but only on His mercy and grace. I can do nothing to add nor take away His love for me. He just loves because He is love. With religion people are caught up in earning His love so they try and try to earn something that cannot be earned – only received. While working for this ‘love’ frustration is sure to raise its ugly head and with frustration comes futility, hopelessness, anger, depression and more to the point that some will throw up their hands in defeat and turn away, maybe to never return.

So, when presented with religion or spirituality always choose the latter. I assure you that you will have no regrets. In so choosing, please remember to extend the same offer to others, offering freedom translated spirituality. Again, no regrets will ensue. God bless you all!!!